Investigation into Staged Crashes Led to Louisiana Arrests

State police say a yearlong investigation led to the arrests of seven people accused of staging vehicle crashes to collect fraudulent property and injury claims.

Troopers say they are still looking for an eighth person who took part in the scheme.

Tuesday’s arrests stemmed from a federal indictment returned on May 12.

In all, investigators say the suspects received more than $400,000 from 2003 through 2010 as a result of the staged crashes.

Troopers say the investigation revealed that the group targeted unsuspecting operators of large commercial motor vehicles.

In one incident, the group intentionally crashed into a commercial truck carrying hazardous material.

The majority of the staged crashes occurred on multilane portions of U.S. Highway 90 in Lafayette Parish.