Missouri Man Sentenced to Prison for Staging Car Crashes and Defrauding Insurers

A Missouri man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to staging multiple auto accidents to defraud insurance companies. From September 2021 to January 2023, Adrian Peebles, 32, orchestrated nighttime vehicle crashes in remote locations, reducing the likelihood of witnesses or detection. After each staged crash, Peebles visited emergency rooms, falsely claiming serious injuries that required costly medical tests — none of which ever revealed a legitimate injury.

Peebles further manipulated the system by requesting insurance payments be sent directly to him instead of to medical providers, leaving hospital bills unpaid. His fraudulent scheme led to a financial loss of $107,951 to two auto insurers.

In January 2025, Peebles pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. On April 14, 2025, U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced him to 18 months in prison and ordered full restitution. The FBI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware led the prosecution.

Insurance professionals are reminded that staged accidents and fraudulent injury claims remain costly threats requiring vigilance and thorough investigation.