Operation Sideswipe Attorney Gets 32 Months for Staged Truck Crashes

A Louisiana attorney has been sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for his role in Operation Sideswipe, the long-running investigation into intentionally staged collisions with commercial trucks around New Orleans. FreightWaves reported October 16 that Danny Keating also received three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $657,405.34 in restitution. He is scheduled to report to prison January 11, 2027.

Keating pleaded guilty in June 2021. According to the report, he admitted paying Damian Lebeaud to arrange 31 tractor-trailer crashes and then representing 77 plaintiffs connected to those collisions. His cooperation with investigators was considered before sentencing. The sentence applies to Keating's admitted conduct; it does not establish that every disputed truck crash is staged or change the legal responsibilities that follow an ordinary collision.

For drivers, the case shows why calm evidence preservation matters after any suspicious contact. Stop safely, call emergency services and notify dispatch. Photograph vehicle positions, damage, occupants and the surrounding roadway when conditions permit. Preserve dash-camera video and avoid arguing, speculating about motives or agreeing to an off-record payment. Drivers should give accurate facts to responding officers and follow the carrier's post-crash procedure.

Fleets should set camera-retention rules that prevent routine overwriting after an incident and preserve telematics, ELD, dispatch and inspection records. Claims teams should compare occupant accounts, medical timelines and vehicle damage without coaching drivers or making unsupported accusations. Training can cover common staged-crash patterns while reinforcing defensive driving and safe following distance. Operation Sideswipe has produced a specific criminal sentence, but the practical defense remains a consistent safety program and a documented response to every crash.