A Brooklyn man has been arraigned on multiple charges following an alleged insurance fraud scheme on the Belt Parkway, as captured by a dashboard camera in a video that has gone viral. According to
CBS News New York
, Maikel Martinez, 28, from Dyker Heights, is facing accusations of staging a motor vehicle accident, reckless endangerment, and insurance fraud, among other charges. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz underscored the recklessness of the act in a statement, saying, “Countless lives were jeopardized due to this incredibly reckless conduct.”
The incident occurred on October 16 when Asphia Natasha was driving on the Belt Parkway. A silver Honda Civic abruptly stopped in front of her, forcing her to quickly apply her brakes, before reversing into her vehicle. The dash cam footage captured by Natasha’s SUV, also submitted in a report to authorities, showed the collision and subsequent events, including a red Kia Sport arriving at the scene and one of the parties involved departing in that vehicle. “My initial thoughts were that I was caught in some kind of road rage,” Natasha told
CBS News New York
.
Further details reported by
NBC New York
, indicate that after the staged crash, individuals involved appeared to switch seats and obscure the view into the Honda with a tarp. Martinez allegedly identified himself at the scene, claiming the woman exiting the driver’s side of the Honda was his wife. Two other individuals from the vehicle remain unidentified.
Martinez, who was taken into custody after returning from Ecuador, could potentially face up to seven years in prison if convicted. The incident has prompted the district attorney’s office to urge others who might suspect they are victims of similar staged accidents to reach out to the NYPD’s Office of Fraudulent Collision Investigation Squad. Alyssa Attanasio, another driver, believes she might have been subject to the same scheme. “It’s traumatic, even though we’re all still here to talk about it,” she told
CBS News New York
. “It is very taxing because you worry about yourself. You worry about, you know, people suing you and everything like that.”
Martinez is scheduled to reappear in court on January 7. Information regarding his legal representation was not immediately available. As the investigation continues, law enforcement is keen to uncover the full extent of this potential fraud ring and prevent further exploitation of unsuspecting motorists.
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