Bronx Guy Cashes In On Accident 'Injuries'; Cops Go to the Video, Charge Him With Fraud

By Ward Harkavy Thu., Apr. 14 2011 at 1:05 PM

Categories: Featured, Fraud, Scams, Ward Harkavy

If what the NYPD's Fraudulent Accident Squad says is true -- and cops have a video to back it up -- Gabriel Leon Hernandez, 33, of the Bronx literally made out like a bandit to the tune of more than $20,000 by faking injuries in an accident he actually only witnessed last September 22.

He couldn't have planned it. An 18-wheeler carrying bottled wine overturned on the Triborough Bridge approach, pinning another vehicle against the center barrier. Hernandez claimed that his vehicle also was involved and that he suffered serious injuries. The video of the accident shows otherwise.

The video shows Hernandez stopping his untouched, unharmed vehicle seconds after the accident and helping the drivers. That was a good deed. What he's alleged to have done afterwards wasn't so good.

Since the accident, cops say, his insurance company has paid $21,184.96 in medical bills and almost $1,300 to fix damages to his vehicle that must have been caused by something else at some other time.

The driver of the vehicle that was smashed into and pinned into the center barrier by the out-of control big truck? Cops say he collected a total of $200 for his injuries.

Hernandez is charged with insurance fraud, grand larceny, and falsifying business records.

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