Two sentenced for staging crashes in New York City, including cut-off crash with semi truck

Two people were sentenced to prison for staging multiple crashes on New York City roadways and then seeking insurance payouts.

On August 27, 2026, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Jaime Huiracocha and Victor Murillo were sentenced to prison after staging three crashes on New York City highways and then seeking payouts for property damage and injuries.

Huiracocha, 53, pleaded guilty to insurance fraud in the third degree and conspiracy in the fifth degree and was sentenced to one to three years in prison on the first charge and one year in jail on second charge, to run concurrently.

Murillo, 34, pleaded guilty to staging a motor vehicle accident in the second degree, insurance fraud in the fourth degree and conspiracy in the fifth degree and was sentenced to two years in prison on the first two charges and one year incarceration on the third charge to be served concurrently.

Truck Driver Victimized By Staged Crash Scam

One of the three victims of the staged crash scheme was a New Jersey truck driver.

At 12 p.m. on October 3, 2024, the 44-year-old truck driver was operating his tractor trailer in the middle lane of the Nassau Expressway near Cross Bay Boulevard in Lindenwood.

“A Nissan Xterra driven by Murillo suddenly cut into the middle lane directly in front of the truck. The truck driver was unable to avoid hitting the Nissan. Murillo got out of the Nissan, entered another vehicle that stopped in front of him and quickly left the scene. At the same time, a female claimed to the truck driver that she had been the one driving the Nissan during the collision. After the getaway car drove off with Murillo, another car stopped at the scene. Huiracocha exited and spoke to the truck driver,” officials said.

Officials said that Murillo’s actions were obscured by passengers in the back seat who covered the rear window with a tarp or plastic bag.

Dash Cam Catches Scammers Backing Into Car

The other two staged crashes took place on August 24, 2024, and October 16, 2024. Both victims were passenger vehicle drivers. You can view dash cam video from the October 2024 crash below.

Defendants Maikel Martinez and Ivon Matus-Martinez also pleaded guilty to charges in the staged crash scheme and are awaiting sentencing.

“Staged auto collisions not only terrify the drivers who are targeted, they put other motorists at risk and ultimately lead to increased insurance costs for all New Yorkers. Thanks to a brave victim who came forward with dashcam video, and an investigation by my Financial Frauds Bureau with our partners at the NYPD and New York State Department of Financial Services, we secured convictions against two defendants who orchestrated three crashes. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for being a nationwide leader on the issue of insurance fraud and enacting a series of reforms that will help prosecutors bring more cases and save New Yorkers money,” said Katz.