Clarkston woman faces insurance fraud charge

Feb. 25--ASOTIN -- A Clarkston woman is facing felony charges after allegedly filing an insurance claim for a car accident that took place while she was in the Asotin County Jail.

Kelsey L. Gearring, 23, is charged with false claims and attempted first-degree theft, both felonies, according to documents filed this week in Asotin County Superior Court. Her first appearance is set for March 13.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Gearring reportedly was involved in a single-vehicle accident the afternoon of June 22, 2015, along Lyons Ferry Road in Walla Walla County. Her 2008 GMC Acadia reportedly sustained "significant damage" as a result, and the car could not be driven from the scene, according to court documents.

The vehicle was towed from Dayton, Wash., to Lewiston, where the value of the damage was estimated at $9,472.

Gearring reportedly had only liability insurance coverage on the GMC. The day after the accident was reported, Gearring allegedly added comprehensive coverage to her Allstate insurance policy.

About a week later, Gearring reportedly called Allstate to report she'd been in a collision with a deer in her GMC and filed the claim under her newly purchased comprehensive coverage policy.

Gearring was in the Asotin County Jail from June 27 to June 29, 2015, according to court documents. The investigation also revealed that the photos of her damaged GMC, which Gearring filed as part of her June 28 accident claim, were from her June 22 accident.

Attempted first-degree theft and false claims are both Class C felonies. If convicted, attempted first-degree theft carries a maximum penalty of five years incarceration and a $10,000 fine, while false claims carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $10,000 fine.

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Embree may be contacted at cembree@lmtribune.com or (208) 669-1298. Follow her on Twitter @chelseaembree.

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