A Brooklyn man was busted for his role in a viral, staged Belt Parkway crash that investigators determined was all a scam to rake in insurance money, prosecutors said.
Maikel Martinez, 28, of Dyker Heights, was a passenger in the Honda Civic that backed into Asphia Natasha’s vehicle the late morning of Oct. 16 on the Belt Parkway in Rosedale, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Martinez – who was nabbed Thursday after arriving in the Big Apple on a flight from Ecuador – was charged with staging a motor vehicle accident in the second degree, criminal mischief in the third degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, as well as conspiracy and insurance fraud, each in the fifth degree, the DA’s office said.
He was released on his own recognizance because the charges are not bail-eligible – but Criminal Court Judge Jerry Iannece ordered that he surrender his passport.
Natasha – who posted disturbing front and rear dashcam video of the crash to TikTok in the wake of the crash – took to social media again Friday to express relief over the arrest.
“I have an update for you guys. It’s really good news,” Natasha said. “I just got the phone with the police, and they let me know that they made one arrest, which is amazing progress.”
“I’m just really happy right now. This is really, really good news, and honestly, it’s all thanks to you guys. Thank you so much for your support. And the NYPD is working really hard on this investigation.”
Three other suspects are still on the loose – including the alleged driver of the Honda, who Martinez claimed was his wife, the DA’s office said.
Another woman and man who got out of the Honda – one of whom escaped into a red Kia Sport – have not yet been identified.
The Honda is registered to a woman, who filed a claim with the Allstate Insurance company following the staged smash-up, according to a criminal complaint.
“I believe the intention was to say I hit their car for insurance fraud purposes,” Natasha said on TikTok.
The heart-pounding crash happened while Natasha was on speakerphone with her husband.
The erratic Honda driver merged from the center lane into the left, cutting her off, before slamming on the brakes, the video shows.
Natasha reacted quickly – stepping on the brakes to avoid a crash – before the motorist senselessly backed into her, according to the DA’s office and the video.
They then held up what appeared to be a plastic tarp in the rear window, preventing Natasha from watching as they changed their seating arrangement, prosecutors said.
“I just got into an accident, I don’t know what’s happening,” Natasha could be heard frantically saying to her husband. “This guy just reversed into me, what the hell is going on.”
Martinez, who could spend up to 7 years behind bars if convicted, was ordered to return to court on Jan. 7.
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.