New York man charged in staged car crash that went viral on TikTok

NEW YORK CITY — A New York City man has been charged with staging a car crash on the Belt Parkway last month. This was a botched insurance scam attempt that went viral after the victim uploaded dashcam footage to TikTok.

Maikel Martinez, 28, was charged with orchestrating a car accident, reckless endangerment and other crimes, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. He has pleaded not guilty.

Martinez is accused of driving a silver Honda Civic in front of Asphia Natasha's vehicle and stopping abruptly. He then intentionally backed into the vehicle, damaging her car and the Honda.

The occupants of the Honda held up what appeared to be a plastic tarp near the rear window of the car, partially blocking the victim's driver's view into the Honda. The occupants then changed their seating arrangements in the Honda, Katz said.

After the collision, four people got out of the car, including a woman who got out on the driver's side and a man who identified himself as Maikel Martinez and said the alleged driver was his wife.

Another woman and man who exited the vehicle are currently unidentified. The three people are still being searched for.

Natasha's dashcam footage of the collision has been viewed millions of times on TikTok.

“The defendant and others allegedly staged an accident on a busy highway and struck an unsuspecting female driver with their vehicle after forcibly stopping her in the left lane of the Belt Parkway,” Katz said. “Countless lives have been put at risk by this incredibly reckless behavior.”

Martinez was arrested after arriving in New York on a flight from Ecuador.