Staged Accidents Investigation In New Orleans Nets 32nd Guilty Plea

With her plea of guilty to mail fraud conspiracy, Ishais Price, 41, has become the 32nd defendant to admit criminal responsibility in a scheme to stage 77 vehicle accidents with big trucks and buses in New Orleans, claim injuries, hire crooked lawyers and collect fat settlement checks from insurance companies.

Price admitted Wednesday in a federal court that she played a role in an Oct. 15, 2015, wreck on Interstate 10 near Interstate 510, where Cornelius Garrison, a "slammer," intentionally steered a 2014 Dodge Avenger into a Hotard bus, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

After the crash, Garrison exited the vehicle and Doniesha Gibson slid behind the wheel, making it appear she was the driver.

Gibson, Price and Chandrika Brown told police the bus struck them while changing lanes, a story refuted by eyewitnesses and video recording on the bus.

Brown and Garrison sought medical treatment, although they had no injuries. With Price, they filed a lawsuit that the bus company’s insurers settled for $677,500.