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West New York Driver Pleads Guilty To Filing Bogus Insurance Claim After Hoboken Hit-Run Crash

A 32-year-old Hudson County resident filed a bogus insurance fraud claim after his involvement in a hit-and-run crash with a parked car, authorities said.

Richard Hamedl

Richard Hamedl

Photo Credit: Hudson County Prosecutor's Office

Richard Hamedl, of West New York, pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree insurance fraud in relation to the claim filed after the crash with a parked car in Hoboken, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.

The plea was accepted by the Superior Court Judge Vincent J. Militello, during a virtual plea hearing on Feb. 3, Suarez said.

Hamedl was behind the wheel of a 2019 BMW X6 when he hit a parked car on 10th Street in Hoboken then fled on Aug. 26, 2020, Suarez said.

A witness at the scene was able to get a license plate for the BMW. The owner told police she had lent the vehicle to Hamedl at the time of the crash.

After the accident, Hamedl -- who had a separate insurance policy for the BMW X6 with Progressive Insurance -- called the company to modify his coverage. 

On Sept. 3, Hamedl filed a fraudulent claim with Progressive saying that the BMW was damaged in a hit-and-run accident that same day while it was parked in Bronx, NY, Suarez said.

Sentencing has been scheduled for March 25, 2021 before Judge Militello.

The State is represented in this case by Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Galler of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Insurance Fraud Unit.

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