Southern California couple arrested, accused of intentional car crash scams

A Southern California couple was arrested Wednesday and accused of intentionally causing car crashes that were posted on a YouTube channel.

The suspects were identified as Christopher Phelps, 40, and his wife, Kimberly Phelps, 40, both from Yucaipa, according to the California Department of Insurance.

The couple is accused of causing car crashes in an attempt to collect fraudulent insurance payouts, authorities said.

KTLA's Shelby Nelson reports on March 24, 2023.

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[stevetaxpayer]

They should also be charged with at least a dozen counts of attempted murder as well.

[understandingunderstanding]

It's amazing how when you think you're smart you're actually stupid.... I see this behavior every day as a truck driver this happens to truck drivers daily with intentionly cutting trucks off to get insurance payment...

[cynthiasummers]

They posted these crashed on their YouTube page??? They should get some sort of award for criminal stupidity...

[mizzury]

I think there is a law that provides for enhanced punishment for filming a crime you commit for the purpose of posting to social media.

[marcelbey-el]

lock em up!! ....many years ago, i was setup by a scam artist team like this, these people are professional criminals and they deserve prison time😤

[fluffles]

18 wheeler got away with hitting me and it's because of people like this and i still have neck pain a year later

[nastyneks]

This takes “oops” to a whole new level.
Thank god for YouTube. 🤝🏽🤝🏽🤝🏽

[TheRbruin]

Car crash insurance scams are a lot more common than people realize unfortunately. This state is especially infested with them. Difference here is that these people were foolish enough to expose themselves on social media. I hope they serve for A LONG TIME

[caroljones]

So impressed by my colleagues work at the Auto Club, who busted this group. Remember, there are lots out there that do this so always be careful, never assume the other vehicle will do what you anticipate and allow LOTS of following room.

[yamama]

All the years I drove semi the cars did the same thing to semis trying to collect insurance

[Herbie]

I still can't believe most people don't have a dash-cam.

[Moondoggy]

I asked this before, is this the same couple who had a gender reveal party on the hottest day of the year 115, at noon and burned down hundred's of thousand acres of national forest? same city.

[YellowPaint]

Just think, there are ppl out here like this that haven't been caught. Be careful folks!!!

[durrrrl]

He got sentenced to 3 years in prison!!😂👍

[MF-tyzn]

And people like these is why YOUR CAR INSURANCE IS HIGH.

[bgregg]

Moral of the story: Install car cams front & rear. At least you'll have evidence.

[RobertJohnson-hpgz]

Some folks rely on their cars for work transportation, some need a certain type of vehicle that’s in great condition to be permitted to use at work, some need car to simply appear in good condition to not dismay any clients. To crash into cars intentionally is always a financial spiral and who knows, what if that vehicle is someone’s home? Around these times, that wouldn’t be shocking.

[eddym]

Those scams are not new they being doing that for decades, sad the rest of honest
drivers pay for that rip off.

[Petemonster]

Since he likes rear-end collisions, feed him to Big Bubba & her to Big Bertha!

[brieladitty]

I love it when people think that what ever it is that they do they’ll never ever get caught.