---
title: "Driver in Viral Insurance Fraud Attempt Catches List of Charges"
date: "2024-11-09"
modified: "2024-11-09"
authors:
  - name: "Beverly Braga"
    job_title: "Weekend Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/beverly-braga"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/driver-in-viral-insurance-fraud-attempt-catches-list-of-charges"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Watch This"
---

# Driver in Viral Insurance Fraud Attempt Catches List of Charges

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/insurance-fraud-screenshot_arrow.jpg>)
*\<em\>@ashpianatasha4 via TikTok\</em\>*

The "[clown car of idiots](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/clown-car-of-idiots-tries-insurance-fraud-crash-thwarted-by-dash-cam>)" is back in the news, and one is behind bars. Thanks to the now uber-viral video, the driver of the failed insurance scam was taken into custody this week and booked on multiple charges. I guess that's what happens when literally means of people see you execute a detailed yet flawed ruse.

A quick recap: On Oct. 16, Ashpia Natasha was driving along the Belt Parkway in the New York City borough of Queens when a [Honda Civic](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/honda-civic>) cut her off and performed a [brake check](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/32302/former-waymo-operator-arrested-charged-with-causing-self-driving-van-to-crash>). Natasha avoided the collision only to witness the silver two-door purposely reverse into her [Acura](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/acura-news>).

Following some in-car musical chairs behind a tarp covering the rear window (one of many red flags), the alleged driver departed the scene in a get-away [Kia Sportage](<https://www.thedrive.com/car-reviews/2023-kia-sportage-suv-review-features-price-options>). The remaining Civic passengers stayed back to mime head injuries while taking photos of the damaged vehicles. Little did they know that the entire incident was captured on Natasha's dashcams [front](<https://www.tiktok.com/@ashpianatasha4/video/7426948659176099102>) and [rear](<https://www.tiktok.com/@ashpianatasha4/video/7426949783983590687>).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1W62ASivR4

The fleeing driver turns out to be a 28-year-old from Brooklyn. According to [*PIX11*](<https://pix11.com/news/crime/arrest-car-seen-backing-into-vehicle-on-belt-parkway-queens-da/>), the [Queens District Attorney's Office](<https://queensda.org/brooklyn-man-charged-with-staging-car-crash-on-belt-parkway-in-rosedale/>) announced the man's arrest. He was apprehended on Thursday upon returning to New York on a flight from Ecuador. The suspect told authorities that the woman who exited the Civic's driver-side door was his wife.

Additional charges for the others involved are unknown at this time. The other two [Honda](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/honda-news>) occupants remain unidentified. The NYPD has also not released information regarding the [Kia](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/kia-news>) or its driver. However, the [Civic was located in Queens and seized](<https://pix11.com/news/local-news/queens/car-seen-in-video-of-suspected-staged-collision-in-nyc-seized-nypd/>) by police on October 24.

The Honda driver has been charged with staging a motor vehicle accident, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, conspiracy, and insurance fraud. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.

## Author
Born and raised in Hawaii, Beverly has been a prolific and published creative writer since her teens. As a contributor to The Drive, Beverly covers the weekend shift, blogging about all things automotive, mobility, transportation, and topics in-between. Currently a digital nomad, Beverly's only constant is her car, a second-generation Mazdaspeed3. Even though she's never in one place for too long, her hot hatch always feels like home.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<http://www.instagram.com/bev_b>)  
[LinkedIn](<http://linkedin.com/in/beverlybraga>)