- A viral 2024 dashcam video showed a Honda deliberately reversing into an Acura SUV.
- Prosecutors now say the collision was one of three staged crashes involving the same crew.
- Two men have been sentenced to prison, while two more await sentencing.
Nearly two years ago, we told you about an absolutely wild dashcam video where a Honda Civic stopped in front of an Acura on a New York highway and, when the Acura didn’t hit it, simply reversed into it instead. At the time, it looked like one of the most blatant insurance scams we’d ever seen. Nearly two years later, prosecutors say that’s exactly what it was, and the men behind it are going to prison.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have announced the sentencing of Jaime Huiracocha, 53, and Victor Murillo, 34, both of Brooklyn. Authorities say the pair helped orchestrate three staged crashes on New York City highways between August and October 2024 in an effort to collect fraudulent insurance payouts.
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We first covered the case in October 2024, after Ashpia Natasha’s dashcam captured a silver Honda Civic cutting in front of her Acura on the Belt Parkway in Queens. The Civic slammed on its brakes, but Natasha managed to stop in time. That created a problem for the people in the Honda, though. The driver simply reversed into her. Problem seemingly solved – but in reality, it was just created.
Natasha also noticed some very strange behavior afterward. The people inside appeared to switch seats, several occupants acted injured, and the original driver apparently left in a red Kia SUV. Now prosecutors have filled in the blanks. Authorities say Murillo was driving the Civic and deliberately backed into Natasha’s vehicle after she successfully avoided the initial collision. Afterward, he climbed into the passenger seat, exited from that side, and escaped in a red Kia Sportage.
Authorities tied the group to two additional staged collisions, including another involving a silver Civic and one where a Nissan Xterra cut in front of a tractor-trailer. Huiracocha pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and conspiracy and was sentenced to one to three years in prison. Murillo pleaded guilty to staging a motor vehicle accident, insurance fraud, and conspiracy and received two years. Two other participants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Back in 2024, we said the incident was a pretty compelling argument for owning a dashcam. Considering prosecutors specifically credited a victim’s footage with helping crack the case, we’d say that this advice has aged rather well.
