HUGHESVILLE – A South Main Street man faces a felony charge of filing a fraudulent insurance claim with Nationwide Insurance Co., according to borough Police Chief Jason Gill.

Benjamin Stewart, 20, of 315 S. Main St., claimed that his 2002 Subaru Impreza was damaged in a minor accident on Interstate 180 near Fairfield Road on Oct. 5 when he reportedly swerved to miss a deer, Gill said.

In a claim to his insurance company, Stewart said that his car shut down shortly after he pulled away from the scene, Gill said. Stewart said oil pooled under the car, apparently caused by the vehicle hitting the edge of the road, Gill said Nationwide was told.

Investigators determined that the accident claim allegedly was a fabrication and that the engine apparently “blew” because the car might have been “raced hard,” Gill said. Stewart declined to talk with police about the incident.

Following his arraignment before District Judge Jon E. Kemp, Stewart was released on signature bail.