Sumter County, October 16, 2025
News Summary
A 19-year-old man from Sumter County has been arrested after allegedly staging a hit-and-run accident to commit insurance fraud. The individual, Jamari Demetrius Pringle, filed a false claim totaling over $12,000 with Progressive Insurance. Investigations revealed that the accident was fabricated, leading to Pringle’s arrest and prosecution by the South Carolina Department of Insurance. This case highlights the serious issue of insurance fraud and its impact on genuine policyholders.
Sumter County Teen Arrested for Staging Hit-and-Run to Commit Insurance Fraud
A 19-year-old named Jamari Demetrius Pringle from Sumter County has been arrested following a police investigation that revealed he staged a hit-and-run accident in an attempt to commit insurance fraud. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reported his arrest on Tuesday.
Pringle faces a charge of insurance fraud after submitting a false claim for an insurance payment valued at $10,000 or more. The fraudulent claim was reported to Progressive Insurance on March 9, where Pringle and two unnamed co-defendants alleged that they were struck from behind by another vehicle, causing them to be forced off the road.
All individuals involved reported injuries and sought medical treatment following the supposed incident. The insurance claim, which totaled $12,244.75, was meant to cover medical bills and towing fees related to the staged accident. However, investigations conducted by Progressive and SLED, at the behest of the South Carolina Department of Insurance, uncovered that the accident had never occurred and was indeed staged.
During the investigation, both Pringle and one of his co-defendants confessed to law enforcement officials that they had fabricated the crash. Pringle was subsequently booked into the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center, where his bond was set at $10,000. Records indicate that he posted bond the same day of his arrest.
Moving forward, Pringle will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Department of Insurance, as the investigation into the fraudulent claims was initiated at their request.
Background Context
Insurance fraud is a serious crime that can lead to substantial penalties. In South Carolina, law enforcement agencies, including SLED, play a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting such fraudulent activities to uphold the integrity of the insurance system. Initiatives by the South Carolina Department of Insurance aim to deter individuals from engaging in deceptive practices, ensuring that genuine policyholders are not unfairly burdened by increased premiums resulting from fraud.
Staged accidents often involve individuals deliberately faking an accident in order to receive insurance payouts. The actions of individuals like Pringle not only violate the law but also contribute to overall increases in insurance costs, affecting many honest policyholders.
FAQ
Who was arrested for staging a hit-and-run in Sumter County?
Jamari Demetrius Pringle, a 19-year-old from Sumter County, was arrested.
What charge does Jamari Demetrius Pringle face?
Pringle faces an insurance fraud charge for presenting a false claim for insurance payment valued at $10,000 or more.
When was the false insurance claim reported?
The false claim was reported to Progressive insurance on March 9.
What was the total amount of the fraudulent insurance claim?
The insurance claim totaled $12,244.75, which covered medical bills and towing fees related to the staged accident.
What was the outcome of the investigation?
Investigations by Progressive and SLED found that the accident never occurred and was staged.
What will happen to Pringle following his arrest?
Pringle will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Department of Insurance.
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Additional Resources
- WACH: Teen Charged with Insurance Fraud
- WYFF4: Man Staged Crash for Insurance Fraud
- WISTV: Sumter Woman Sentenced for Fraud
- The State: Local Crime News
- Herald Online: South Carolina News
- Wikipedia: Insurance Fraud
- Google Search: Insurance fraud
- Google Scholar: Insurance fraud
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Insurance fraud
- Google News: Insurance fraud
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
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