The occupant of a car that purposefully backed into another driver along the Belt Parkway last month has been charged with staging a motor vehicle accident and other crimes.
The accident was caught on Ashpia Natasha’s dash camera and viewed tens of millions of times.
Maikel Martinez was in the car that allegedly cut off another driver on the Belt Parkway, forcing that driver to come to a stop. The car the defendant was in then reversed into the victim’s car.
“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,” Queens DA Melinda Katz said.
Martinez, 28, of Dyker Heights, was arraigned Thursday night on charges of staging a motor vehicle accident, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, conspiracy and insurance fraud. He pleaded not guilty and must return to court January 7. If convicted, he faces up to 2 1/3 years to seven years in prison.