SoCal Couple Caused Crashes For Road Rage Youtube Channel: DA

LOS ANGELES — A Yucaipa couple faces multiple felony charges stemming from a YouTube channel that prosecutors allege documented dozens of intentional crashes and road rage incidents in the Southland.

Investigators allege Christopher and Kimberly Phelps, both 40, caused collisions to receive insurance payouts and also used the incidents as fodder for their YouTube page, posting 162 clips showing crashes, near misses and road rage. In several instances, the couple's child was in the vehicle, according to San Bernardino County District Attorney's office.

Over the course of the investigation, detectives said they identified 23 crashes on the channel that were directly linked to 17 insurance claims filed by Christopher Phelps. Approximately 42 videos document road rage incidents or attempted crashes, and officials said many appeared to be intentional acts.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office said the sheriff's department contacted prosecutors after Christopher Phelps was involved in a suspicious crash, where investigators observed him stopping "for no apparent reason," causing a truck to rear-end his vehicle. Not long after the crash, deputies said Phelps posted a rear dashcam video on his YouTube page.

In building the case, prosecutors and investigators with the California Department of Insurance filed several search warrants and reviewed hours of video. Prosecutors are hoping to identify additional victims that may have been featured in the clips.

The felony charges for Christopher Phelps include six counts of assault with a deadly weapon, 11 counts of insurance fraud, and five counts of child endangerment. Kimberly Phelps is charged with two felony counts of child endangerment and one count of felony insurance fraud.

Prosecutors said the husband was previously charged with two felonies related to a crash in February.

Both Phelps were booked into jail Wednesday and held on $500,000 bail. Victims or witnesses can contact Det. Matthew Carter via e-mail, or by calling 909-919-2215.