A Brooklyn man is facing charges related to a staged car accident that went viral after being captured on dashcam. He was arrested at a New York City airport after returning from Ecuador, prosecutors announced Friday.
The 28-year-old suspect allegedly participated in a scheme involving a silver Honda Civic that cut off another vehicle on the Belt Parkway in Queens on October 16. The Honda then reversed into the car driven by Asphia Natasha, causing damage to both vehicles, according to prosecutors.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz described the incident as “incredibly reckless conduct” that put countless lives at risk. Dashcam footage of the crash, which has garnered millions of views on TikTok, shows the Honda’s occupants attempting to obscure their identities with what appeared to be a plastic tarp and switching seats before exiting the vehicle.
The suspect, who prosecutors believe was a backseat passenger during the incident, faces charges including staging a motor vehicle accident, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, and insurance fraud. He has pleaded not guilty. Authorities are still searching for the three other individuals involved.
