Arkansas Woman Pleads Guilty in Staged U-Haul Crash Case

An Arkansas woman has been sentenced to three years of probation, a fine and court costs after pleading guilty to her role in a staged automobile accident in 2016 involving a U-Haul rental.

The Arkansas Insurance Department reported that Wanda Wrightner, 50, of Texarkana, entered a plea of guilty to one count of a fraudulent insurance act (D felony) on October 3 in Miller County Circuit Court.

According to the AID, on March 31, 2016, Lavelda Rogers rented a U-Haul truck at 5002 N. Stateline Road in Texarkana. Later that evening, she reported that while driving the truck, she struck another vehicle driven by Wrightner. Wrightner later filed an insurance claim for bodily injuries.

During the course of the claims investigation, Rogers gave a recorded statement during which she admitted that the accident was staged.

Wrightner was sentenced to three years of probation, a $1,500 fine, and court costs of $670. Rogers pled guilty to a count of insurance fraud in March.

There have been several other convictions of Arkansans using U-Haul rentals to stage accidents this year.

Jennifer Haggins, 31, of Jonesboro pled guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (D felony) and one count of Criminal Mischief (D felony) on June 29 in Craighead County Circuit Court.

She was sentenced to five years’ probation, court costs and restitution after pleading guilty to her role in a staged automobile accident in 2014 involving a U-Haul rental.

Also in June, Jeremy Fisher, 36, and Teneshia White, 34, both of Pine Bluff, were sentenced for their roles in staged accidents in 2014 that involved U-Haul rentals. Appearing in Jefferson County Circuit Court, Fisher pleaded guilty to one count of insurance fraud and White entered a plea of no contest to two counts of insurance fraud. Their fraudulent insurance claim was filed with Repwest Insurance through the “Safe Move” product sold by U-Haul.

Fisher and White each received three-year prison sentences.