A Brooklyn man is facing multiple charges after a staged car crash, captured on dash cam and shared on TikTok, went viral. Prosecutors say the incident, which appears to be part of an insurance fraud scheme, shows a car reversing into the vehicle behind it.
The crash occurred last October on the Belt Parkway in Queens. Ashpia Natasha was driving her 2021 Acura when a silver Honda suddenly pulled in front of her. To avoid a collision, Natasha stopped, but the Honda then reversed into her vehicle, causing $8,300 in damage.
The video shows four people getting out of the Honda after the crash, including 28-year-old Maikel Martinez, who prosecutors say was the ringleader of the scheme. After the crash, the group began taking photos and videos of the damage.
Martinez, along with three others, is accused of conspiring to commit insurance fraud, reckless endangerment, and other crimes. Martinez was arrested Thursday, Nov. 7, after returning to New York from Ecuador. If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison.
The Queens district attorney called the actions reckless and dangerous, endangering not only the drivers involved but also other people on the road. Investigators say the crash was part of a larger scheme, and the investigation is ongoing.
Natasha told The New York Times that she suspected something was off but provided her insurance information when asked. She did not realize it was potential insurance fraud until she reviewed the dash cam footage at home.
The video, which has now been viewed more than 74 million times on TikTok, has become a warning to others. Natasha said she is relieved police were able to make an arrest, largely due to the footage she provided.