A Yucaipa couple, Christopher and Kimberly Phelps, is facing serious charges after investigators linked them to a scheme involving the intentional staging of car crashes to fraudulently collect insurance money. The evidence was particularly damning as the couple posted videos of the incidents on YouTube.
The investigation began when deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department discovered a YouTube channel featuring numerous dashcam recordings of traffic collisions and road-rage incidents. Although the channel was published under an alias, authorities successfully traced it back to Christopher Phelps, revealing a total of 162 videos showcasing various crashes and near-misses.
State insurance investigators have connected 23 collisions to 17 insurance claims filed by Phelps. The case gained traction in February when deputies identified a suspicious crash involving Phelps, who reportedly stopped suddenly, leading a truck with a trailer to rear-end his vehicle. Following the crash, he posted a video of the incident, prompting detectives to investigate further.
In addition to charges of insurance fraud and assault with a deadly weapon, the Phelps couple faces multiple counts of child endangerment, as some videos allegedly show their child present in the vehicle during these staged incidents. After their initial arrest, Christopher Phelps was charged with a felony for causing a crash to file a false insurance claim and was released on bail.
This week, both Christopher and Kimberly Phelps were arrested and are currently being held on $500,000 bail as the investigation into their activities continues. The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and the California Department of Insurance to combat fraudulent practices within the insurance industry.
