A Brooklyn man was busted for his function in a viral, staged Belt Parkway crash that investigators decided was all a rip-off to rake in insurance coverage cash, prosecutors stated.
Maikel Martinez, 28, of Dyker Heights, was a passenger within the Honda Civic that backed into Asphia Narasha’s automobile the late morning of Oct. 16 on the Belt Parkway in Rosedale, based on the Queens District Lawyer’s Workplace.
Martinez – who was nabbed Thursday after arriving within the Massive Apple on a flight from Ecuador – was charged with staging a motorized vehicle accident within the second diploma, prison mischief within the third diploma, reckless endangerment within the first diploma, in addition to conspiracy and insurance coverage fraud, every within the fifth diploma, the DA’s workplace stated.
He was launched on his personal recognizance as a result of the fees usually are not bail-eligible – however Felony Court docket Choose Jerry Iannece ordered that he give up his passport.
Natasha – who posted disturbing entrance and rear dashcam video of the crash to TikTok within the wake of the crash – took to social media once more Friday to precise reduction over the arrest.
“I’ve an replace for you guys. It’s actually excellent news,” Natasha stated. “I simply bought the telephone with the police, they usually let me know that they made one arrest, which is wonderful progress.”
“I’m simply actually joyful proper now. That is actually, actually excellent news, and actually, it’s all due to you guys. Thanks a lot in your assist. And the NYPD is working actually exhausting on this investigation.”
Three different suspects are nonetheless on the unfastened – together with the alleged driver of the Honda, who Martinez claimed was his spouse, the DA’s workplace stated.
One other lady and man who bought out of the Honda – one in every of whom escaped right into a purple Kia Sport – haven’t but been recognized.
The Honda is registered to a lady, who filed a declare with the Allstate Insurance coverage firm following the staged smash-up, based on a prison grievance.
“I consider the intention was to say I hit their automotive for insurance coverage fraud functions,” Natasha stated on TikTok.
The center-pounding crash occurred whereas Natasha was on speakerphone along with her husband.
The erratic Honda driver merged from the middle lane into the left, chopping her off, earlier than slamming on the brakes, the video exhibits.
Natasha reacted shortly – stepping on the brakes to keep away from a crash – earlier than the motorist senselessly backed into her, based on the DA’s workplace and the video.
They then held up what gave the impression to be a plastic tarp within the rear window, stopping Natasha from watching as they modified their seating association, prosecutors stated.
“I simply bought into an accident, I don’t know what’s taking place,” Natasha could possibly be heard frantically saying to her husband. “This man simply reversed into me, what the hell is happening.”
Martinez, who may spend as much as 7 years behind bars if convicted, was ordered to return to court docket on Jan. 7.
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