Brooklyn Man Charged in Belt Parkway Crash Scheme

Maikel Martinez, a 28-year-old man from Brooklyn, has been charged with staging a car accident on the Belt Parkway in New York City for insurance fraud purposes. The incident, which involved Martinez's car intentionally backing into Asphia Natasha's vehicle, was caught on Natasha’s dash cam and went viral online. Martinez, who was arrested after returning from Ecuador, faces charges including criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, conspiracy, and insurance fraud. The scheme involved multiple individuals, with some suspects still at large, and aimed to falsely claim insurance damages. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz highlighted the reckless endangerment of lives due to this staged accident. If convicted, Martinez could face up to seven years in prison.