Hesperia and Adelanto Suspects Linked to Insurance Scam Involving Staged Rideshare Crash

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A staged crash on the I-215 freeway that targeted a rideshare driver and aimed to defraud their insurance has led to felony convictions for four men, including one from Hesperia, while a fifth suspect from Adelanto remains charged and faces additional counts of pimping, pandering, and false imprisonment, officials announced.

The California Department of Insurance revealed the results of a months-long investigation in a press release issued November 21, 2025.

The scheme involved suspects ordering a rideshare in San Bernardino, then using a second vehicle to intentionally crash into it, with the goal of filing fraudulent injury claims and securing insurance payouts.

Among those convicted is Kalil Davis, 27, of Hesperia, who pleaded no contest to insurance fraud and assault with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to 180 days in county jail and two years of felony probation.

Deshawn Perater-Nickson, 26, of Adelanto, was the registered owner of the vehicle used in the staged crash. He was arrested earlier this year and initially charged with insurance fraud and assault with a deadly weapon. However, while in custody, investigators uncovered evidence linking him to additional crimes including false imprisonment, pimping, and pandering. He is expected to appear in court on January 26, 2026.

According to the department’s statement, “The suspects intended to file bodily injury claims against the rideshare driver’s insurance and collect the insurance payout.”

The November 23, 2024 crash was first reported to the California Highway Patrol as a hit-and-run. However, the driver of the rideshare vehicle suspected foul play and contacted authorities, leading to the involvement of the Inland Empire Automobile Insurance Fraud Task Force (IEAIFTF).

Investigators identified five suspects involved in the plot: Davis and Perater-Nickson, along with Ledontae Pope, 30, and John Murillo, 37, both of San Bernardino, and Klydale Moses, 24, of Fontana. Murillo was driving the vehicle that intentionally collided with the rideshare.

Officials said that Moses was not in either car but was found to be involved in the planning and execution of the fraud.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Pope, Davis, and Perater-Nickson on January 27, 2025. Search warrants and interviews conducted afterward led to the arrests of Murillo and Moses on May 19.

According to the department, “At the time of their arrests, two of the three suspects were on probation for previous convictions for narcotics trafficking, assault with a deadly weapon, and felony possession of a firearm.”

Between late September and October 2025, four of the five suspects entered no-contest pleas:

• Ledontae Pope, 30 (San Bernardino): Sentenced to 90 days in county jail and two years felony probation for participating in the crash and committing assault.
• Kalil Davis, 27 (Hesperia): Received 180 days in county jail and two years felony probation.
• John Murillo, 37 (San Bernardino): Agreed to a two-year state prison term; he remains in custody pending sentencing.
• Klydale Moses, 24 (Fontana): Sentenced to 90 days in county jail and two years felony probation.

Perater-Nickson’s case remains ongoing. If convicted on the new charges, he could face additional prison time.

“The Department of Insurance urges Californians to document and report suspicious crashes as part of its ongoing anti-fraud efforts,” the agency stated.

The Inland Empire Automobile Insurance Fraud Task Force includes members from the California Department of Insurance, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, and the California Highway Patrol.

If you suspect you or someone you know are the victim of a staged collision insist on a police report; document as much information about the collision as possible; use a cell phone to document the post-collision damage with photographs or video; ask the peace officer to positively identify everyone involved; and report the suspicious collision to the California Department of Insurance by calling 800-927-4357 or visit our website at insurance.ca.gov.

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