Passenger busted in viral, staged Belt Parkway crash deemed an insurance company scam: prosecutors

A Brooklyn man was busted for his domiciled in a viral, staged Belt Parkway clang that investigators wished was each a scam to rake successful security money, prosecutors said. 

Maikel Martinez, 28, of Dyker Heights, was a rider successful nan Honda Civic that backed into Asphia Narasha’s conveyance nan precocious greeting of Oct. 16 connected nan Belt Parkway successful Rosedale, according to nan Queens District Attorney’s Office. 

Martinez – who was nabbed Thursday aft arriving successful nan Big Apple connected a formation from Ecuador – was charged pinch staging a centrifugal conveyance mishap successful nan 2nd degree, criminal mischief successful nan 3rd degree, reckless endangerment successful nan first degree, arsenic good arsenic conspiracy and security fraud, each successful nan 5th degree, nan DA’s agency said. 

He was released connected his ain recognizance because nan charges are not bail-eligible – but Criminal Court Judge Jerry Iannece ordered that he surrender his passport.

Natasha – who posted disturbing beforehand and rear dashcam video of nan clang to TikTok successful nan aftermath of nan clang – took to societal media again Friday to definitive alleviation complete nan arrest. 

“I person an update for you guys. It’s really bully news,” Natasha said. “I conscionable sewage nan telephone pinch nan police, and they fto maine cognize that they made 1 arrest, which is astonishing progress.”

“I’m conscionable really happy correct now. This is really, really bully news, and honestly, it’s each acknowledgment to you guys. Thank you truthful overmuch for your support. And nan NYPD is moving really difficult connected this investigation.”

Three different suspects are still connected nan loose – including nan alleged driver of nan Honda, who Martinez claimed was his wife, nan DA’s agency said. 

Another female and man who sewage retired of nan Honda – 1 of whom escaped into a reddish Kia Sport – person not yet been identified.

The Honda is registered to a woman, who revenge a declare pinch nan Allstate Insurance institution pursuing nan staged smash-up, according to a criminal complaint. 

“I judge nan volition was to opportunity I deed their car for security fraud purposes,” Natasha said connected TikTok.

The heart-pounding clang happened while Natasha was connected speakerphone pinch her husband. 

The erratic Honda driver merged from nan halfway lane into nan left, cutting her off, earlier slamming connected nan brakes, nan video shows.

Natasha reacted quickly – stepping connected nan brakes to debar a clang – earlier nan motorist senselessly backed into her, according to nan DA’s agency and nan video.

They past held up what appeared to beryllium a integrative tarp successful nan rear window, preventing Natasha from watching arsenic they changed their seating arrangement, prosecutors said.

“I conscionable sewage into an accident, I don’t cognize what’s happening,” Natasha could beryllium heard frantically saying to her husband. “This feline conscionable reversed into me, what nan hellhole is going on.”

Martinez, who could walk up to 7 years down bars if convicted, was ordered to return to tribunal connected Jan. 7.