Delco Woman Busted For Filing Bogus Car Insurance Claim: DA

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — A Delaware County woman is being charged with fraud related crimes after allegedly submitting a bogus car insurance claim following a December 2018 crash.

According to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office, Margaret Towell, 32, of Clifton Heights, was charge with insurance fraud, theft by deception, and criminal use of a communication facility, all felonies of the third degree, after allegedly submitting a false car insurance claim for an accident which occurred on December 15, 2018.

Towell was released on $25,000 unsecured bail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 2.

On December 16, 2018, Towell filed an accident claim with Farmers Insurance in reference to an accident which occurred at North Springfield Road and Summit Street Clifton Heights on December 15, 2018 involving her Ford Escape, the DA's office said.

Towell claimed she was traveling on Springfield Road when she lost control of the car after an unidentified vehicle hit the bumper of her vehicle causing her to swerve and hit a pole, according to the DA's office.

Towell told investigators that two children were in the car and her boyfriend were in the car at the time of the wreck, and the striking car drove away after the incident without stopping, the DA's office said.

Investigation into this claim revealed that on December 15, 2018 at 9:48 p.m., the Clifton Heights Police Department responded to an accident at North Springfield Road and Summit Avenue in Clifton Heights and observed a vehicle, identified as Towell’s Ford Escape, with heavy front-end damage.

The vehicle’s driver, later identified as Towell’s boyfriend, was on scene along with two children.

Investigation and witness interviews revealed that Towell’s boyfriend was driving the vehicle erratically and ran into a utility pole, according to the DA's office.

Based on their investigation, Clifton Heights Police charged him with driving under the influence, the DA's office said.

On December 31, 2018, Towell was interviewed by Farmers Insurance Investigator Nicole Treadwell and admitted that she was not the driver of the 2011 Ford Escape at the time of the accident, but rather her boyfriend had been driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, the DA's office said.

An investigation into the fraud was launched by the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office CID Insurance Fraud Unit.

CID Detective Sponaugle and Detective Edward Kazlo met with Margaret Towell in reference to her insurance claim.

As a result of the investigation, authorities allege Towell provided false information when she filed her claim with Farmers Insurance when she reported she was the individual driving at the time of the accident, according to the DA's office

If you suspect someone is committing insurance fraud, please contact the Delaware County District Attorney’s CID Insurance Fraud Unit at (610) 891-4126.