NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Investigators have confirmed that a viral crash on the Belt Parkway in New York City was staged as part of an insurance fraud scheme.
Dash camera footage of the incident, which went viral and sparked public outrage, ultimately led to an arrest. Police are still searching for three others involved, including the driver.
"I’m really happy — this is really, really good news," said Ashpia Natasha, who broke the news on TikTok, thanking the public and police for their detective work. Natasha’s dashcam footage of the apparent staged crash on the Belt was viewed tens of millions of times, prompting a police investigation last month.
“I just got off the phone with the NYPD; they made an arrest, which is amazing!” she added.
Maikel Martinez, 28, of Dyker Heights, was arrested Thursday night at JFK Airport after returning from Ecuador, sources said. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz confirmed Martinez was a passenger in the suspect vehicle. Martinez was charged with insurance fraud and staging a vehicle crash.
Police are still seeking three other individuals captured in the footage, including a man suspected of being the driver, who fled the scene in a getaway vehicle.
“The people put up a tarp,” Katz said, explaining how they covered the rear windshield. “We’re alleging the driver and passenger switched.”
The crime highlights an alarming trend. “In order to do this scam, you have to be an insured vehicle, a licensed driver, and all the papers need to be in order,” Katz said.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, staged crashes are increasingly common in New York and New Jersey, with incidents up 14% and 58% respectively. The scheme costs insurers an estimated $20 billion nationwide each year.
“We’d like information from other individuals who’ve fallen prey to the same scam,” Katz added.
The NYPD Organized Crime Unit is working with local district attorneys to crack down on staged accidents and put a stop to these criminal schemes. Natasha echoed their call for assistance, urging anyone in a similar situation to come forward.
“The NYPD is working really hard,” she said. “If anyone has been in a similar situation, please let me know.”
Here are some tips from AAA on how to protect yourself from insurance scammers:
- Be alert. Stay aware of your surroundings, and avoid distracted driving.
- Don’t tailgate. Leaving a safe distance between you and the car ahead can help prevent staged rear-end collisions.
- Know if you’re at risk. Drivers of luxury or commercial vehicles are more frequently targeted by scammers.
- Consider a dashcam. Having a dashcam can provide crucial evidence in case of an incident.
If you do find yourself in a situation that seems like a staged collision, AAA recommends the following actions:
- Get to safety. Move out of traffic if possible to avoid further danger.
- Collect information. Take photos of the other driver’s license, vehicle identification number, insurance policy number, license plate, and the vehicle itself. This information can be critical for police and insurance companies in investigating fraud.
Anyone who suspects they may have been a victim in a staged car crash, call the NYPD Office of Fraudulent Collision Investigation Squad at 718-822-5403.
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