BAY RIDGE, Brooklyn (WABC) — Police say an allegedly staged car crash in Queens was aimed at obtaining insurance money and ultimately increasing the victim’s insurance payout.
The crash, which appeared to be intentional, occurred on the Belt Parkway earlier this month.
Police have not yet found anyone involved, but they say they have secured one vehicle.
When the car in front of Ashpia Natasha cut into her path, stopped in front of her, and then reversed into her, she didn’t know what to make of it.
“When you got out of the car, did you say to the driver, ‘Why did you back up and hit me?'” Nina Pineda asked the victim.
“I did. The first time I asked them what happened, they were like, ‘I don’t know what happened.'” At one point, “Why did you turn back on me?” he said. They were like no,” Natasha said.
She said she was driving on the Belt Parkway and there wasn’t much conversation, but the video showed the four suspects holding their heads and bending over.
Home health attendant Natasha said all her pain seemed to disappear when a man saw her dashcam recording live footage.
“As soon as he looked at the dashcam, you could see he was very quick, almost as if he was turning his back and walking away,” Natasha added.
The suspects abandoned the vehicle, and police from the 68th Precinct have now seized the vehicle. The car appears to be damaged and has paint on the bumper.
“The insurance adjuster came and said the damage was estimated at $8,300,” Natasha said.
“Innocent people driving with their families, children in the back seat, knowing that someone is trying to trick them into making money,” said Phil Martagati of United Public Adjusters and Appraisers. “We don’t think so, but we are also putting our lives at risk.”
Martagati warns that anyone involved in an accident should call the police, take photos or videos, move to a safe location and contact their insurance company immediately. He added that most drivers are underinsured, so it’s a good idea to check your liability coverage and get comprehensive insurance for more coverage. He also added to get a dashcam.
“This woman is very lucky to have a camera, that’s all I have to say,” Martagati said.
This video will help prove that Natasha did not cause any accidents or injuries.
Some people made their opinions known by destroying cars seized by the police.
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