A Brooklyn man was arrested for his role A viral, staged Belt Parkway accident Prosecutors said investigators determined it was all a scam to siphon insurance money.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, Maikel Martinez, 28, of Dyker Heights, was a passenger in a Honda Civic that collided from behind with Esfia Natasha’s vehicle on the Belt Parkway in Rosedale in the late morning hours of October 16.
Martínez — who was arrested Thursday after arriving in the Big Apple on a flight from Ecuador He 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 of the fifth degree, the DA’s office said.
He was released on his own recognizance because the charges are not bailable – but Criminal Court Judge Jerry Innes ordered he surrender his passport.
Natasha – who posted disturbing front and rear dashcam videos of the accident on TikTok after the accident – took to social media again on Friday to express relief at the arrest.
“I have an update for you guys. “It’s really good news,” Natasha said. “I just got a call from the police and they told me they’d made an arrest, which is amazing progress.”
“I’m really happy right now. This is really great 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.
The DA’s office said three other suspects are still at large – including the alleged driver of the Honda, whom Martinez claimed was his wife.
Another woman and man who exited the Honda – one of whom fled in a red Kia Sportage – have not yet been identified.
According to a criminal complaint, the Honda is registered in the name of a woman who filed a claim with Allstate Insurance Company after the incident.
“I believe the intent was to say that I crashed his car for the purpose of insurance fraud,” Natasha said on TikTok.
The heart-wrenching accident happened when Natasha was on speakerphone with her husband.
The video shows the reckless Honda driver swerving to the left from the middle lane before applying the brakes, causing it to cut off.
According to the DA’s office and the video, Natasha reacted quickly – applying the brakes to avoid a crash – before the motorist pulled up behind her without even thinking.
He then held up a plastic tarpaulin over the rear window, blocking Natasha from seeing as he changed his seating arrangement, prosecutors said.
Natasha can be heard telling her husband, “I just got into an accident, I don’t know what’s happening.” “This guy just turned on me, what the hell is going on.”
If convicted, Martinez faces up to seven years in prison, and was ordered to return to court on January 7.
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