Passenger arrested in viral, staged Belt Parkway crash deemed insurance fraud: prosecutors

A Brooklyn man has been arrested for his role in a viral, staged accident on the Belt Parkway that investigators determined was simply a scam to extort insurance money, prosecutors said.

Maikel Martinez, 28, of Dyker Heights, was a passenger in the Honda Civic that backed into Asphia Natascha's vehicle on the Belt Parkway in Rosedale late on the morning of Oct. 16, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office.

Martinez — who was snapped Thursday after arriving in the Big Apple on a flight from Ecuador — was Charges include second-degree orchestrating a car accident, third-degree criminal misrepresentation, first-degree reckless endangerment and fifth-degree conspiracy and insurance fraud, the DA's office said.

He was released on his own recognizance because the charge is not bail-eligible – but Criminal Court Judge Jerry Iannece ordered the release of his passport.

Natasha – who posted disturbing front and rear dashcam videos on TikTok following the accident – took to social media again on Friday to express her relief at the arrest.

“I have an update for you. “That’s really good news,” Natasha said. “I just called the police and they told me they had made an arrest, which is amazing progress.”

“I'm just really happy at the moment. This is really, really good news, and honestly it's all thanks to you. Thank you for your support. And the NYPD is working really hard on this investigation.”

Three other suspects are still at large – including the alleged driver of the Honda, who Martinez claimed was his wife, the DA's office said.

Another woman and another man who got out of the Honda – one of whom fled into a red Kia Sport – have not yet been identified.

According to a criminal complaint, the Honda is registered to a woman who filed a lawsuit with Allstate Insurance Company after the staged accident.

“I think the intent was to say I hit her car for insurance fraud,” Natasha said on TikTok.

The heartbreaking accident occurred while Natasha was on speakerphone with her husband.

As the video shows, the erratic Honda driver moved from the middle lane to the left, cut her off and then slammed on the brakes.

According to prosecutors and the video, Natasha reacted quickly and slammed on the brakes to avoid an accident before the driver senselessly reversed into her.

They then held up what appeared to be a plastic sheet on the rear window, preventing Natasha from watching as they changed her seating arrangement, prosecutors said.

“I just had an accident, I don’t know what’s happening,” Natasha was heard frantically saying to her husband. “This guy just turned into me, what the fuck is going on?”

Martinez, who faces up to seven years behind bars if convicted, was ordered to return to court on Jan. 7.