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Jaime Huiracocha and Victor Murillo Sentenced for Orchestrating Staged Car Crashes to Profit from Insurance Fraud

District Attorney Melinda Katz and Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Jaime Huiracocha and Victor Murillo have been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to stage car crashes on New York highways. Huiracocha, aged 53, received a sentence of one to three years in prison for his role as a lookout and director of the scheme. Murillo, aged 34, was sentenced to two years in prison for acting as the primary driver who deliberately slammed on his brakes to be rear-ended. The investigation began after a viral dashcam video showed a silver Honda driven by Murillo cutting off an unsuspecting motorist and then backing into her vehicle. The pair recruited passengers who were promised large payouts, often exceeding $79,000 in a single claim. Prosecutors noted that the scheme involved an entire ecosystem of medical providers and attorneys who facilitated the fraudulent claims. Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized that these staged accidents contribute to increased insurance costs for all New Yorkers, and she highlighted new reforms intended to crack down on the reckless behavior of these organizers.

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