BROOKLYN, NY — Two Brooklyn men were sentenced to prison this week after pleading guilty to staging three crashes on New York City highways to collect fraudulent insurance payouts, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office.
Jaime Huiracocha, 53, and Victor Murillo, 34, recruited people to participate in the crashes in exchange for promises of thousands of dollars, prosecutors said.
The crashes occurred between August and October 2024 on the Belt Parkway and Nassau Expressway.
The scheme came to light after a victim's dashcam captured Murillo leaving one crash and getting into a waiting getaway car.
According to investigators, Murillo deliberately cut in front of vehicles and slammed on the brakes, causing collisions.
In one crash, he reversed into a vehicle after the driver avoided hitting him.
After each crash, Murillo moved to the passenger seat and escaped in a waiting vehicle while other occupants remained behind and claimed to be injured.
Huiracocha directed participants to specific medical clinics, investigators said.
Huiracocha pleaded guilty to third-degree insurance fraud and fifth-degree conspiracy.
He received one to three years in prison for insurance fraud and one year for conspiracy, to run concurrently.
Murillo pleaded guilty to second-degree staging of a motor vehicle accident, fourth-degree insurance fraud and fifth-degree conspiracy.
He received two years in prison on the first two charges and one year for conspiracy, also concurrent.
New York has enacted reforms targeting staged crashes and insurance fraud, including allowing prosecutors to pursue organizers of staged accidents and limiting certain damages for people who participate in unlawful conduct.
Two other defendants, Maikel Martinez and Ivon Matus-Martinez, pleaded guilty to charges related to the crashes and are expected to be sentenced next month.
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