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Brooklyn Man Charged in Staged Belt Parkway Accident
ROSEDALE, Queens (WABC) — A 28-year-old man from Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, has been arrested and charged with orchestrating what authorities allege was a staged car crash on the Belt Parkway last month. The incident, which was captured on a dash camera and subsequently went viral, led to charges including staging a motor vehicle accident, criminal mischief, and insurance fraud, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
According to the charges, the incident took place on October 16, 2024, at approximately 11:11 a.m. Maikel Martinez, the defendant, was in a vehicle that allegedly cut off another driver on the Belt Parkway, forcing the driver to stop. The defendant’s car then reversed into the victim’s vehicle. The victim’s car had both front and rear dash cameras.
“The defendant and others allegedly staged a crash on a busy highway and rammed an unsuspecting driver with their vehicle after they forcibly stopped her in the left lane of the Belt Parkway. Countless lives were jeopardized due to this incredibly reckless conduct,” District Attorney Katz said in a statement.
Martinez was arraigned Thursday night on multiple charges, including staging a motor vehicle accident, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, conspiracy, and insurance fraud. He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to court on January 7. If convicted, he could face between 2 1/3 and seven years in prison.
The incident unfolded as the victim, identified as Ashpia Natasha, was driving north in the left lane of the Belt Parkway near the Nassau County border. The silver Honda Civic cut in front of Natasha’s car and then came to a stop. Natasha was forced to hit her brakes to avoid a collision. The Honda then quickly backed into Natasha’s vehicle, causing damage to both cars.
Following the collision, four people exited the Honda. One woman got out of the driver’s side, and a man, who identified himself as Maikel Martinez, claimed the purported driver was his wife. Footage surrounding the crash showed a red Kia Sport following Natasha’s car. After the crash, the Kia stopped in front of the Honda, and a fourth occupant of the Honda exited the vehicle and entered the Kia, which then left the scene.
Authorities are asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a staged car crash to contact the NYPD Office of Fraudulent Collision Investigation Squad at 718-822-5403 or the Queens DA Consumer Fraud Helpline at 718-286-6673.
