Anderson parolee arrested for insurance fraud after fleeing scene of crash
News: 2020 Press Release
REDDING, Calif. — Donn Lurrinda Hayden, 36, of Anderson, was arrested today on multiple felony counts of insurance fraud, filing a false police report, and witness intimidation for allegedly reporting her vehicle stolen after a crash and fleeing the scene, likely in an attempt to avoid DUI charges while on parole.
In January 2020, Hayden filed a police report and insurance claim stating her 2006 Ford Mustang was stolen while she was drinking at a bar in downtown Redding. Police discovered Hayden’s vehicle abandoned and crashed in an embankment, with severe front-end damage, approximately one mile from the downtown area. Police also discovered a trail of Hayden's personal belongings leading away from the crash scene and a lone suspect who matched Hayden’s description was witnessed fleeing the scene on foot.
An investigation by the California Department of Insurance revealed that several hours after the vehicle was discovered, Hayden called the Redding Police Department and her insurance company to report the car stolen. She made multiple inconsistent statements to investigators of the nights’ events, and stated that she was “buzzed” from drinking when an unknown person stole her vehicle.
During an investigation, Hayden’s parole agents identified her voice in the background of a 911 call made by a bystander at the crash scene. Hayden was heard on the 911 recording yelling aggressively at the bystander to end the call. It was determined Hayden fled the scene of the crash and made a false report of vehicle theft. Her insurance company was forced to pay over $6,500 for the loss of the vehicle and by fleeing the scene of the crash, Hayden evaded a DUI investigation.
Hayden received enhancements to the charges because she is on parole for a violent felony. She was booked at the Shasta County Main Jail and the case is being prosecuted by the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office.
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Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
