A woman admits she intentionally drove into a New York City police officer at a crime scene, saying, “This is a lesson to him, cops.''
Authorities say Sahara Dula, 24, was high on marijuana when she drove the wrong way in a black Lexus and plowed into a police officer Wednesday on the Upper East Side.
“I told the officer I wanted to go straight to him, but he wouldn't move, so I punched him. I did it on purpose,” Dula later told investigators, according to court documents.
“Th-those officers! They wouldn't move!” she screamed immediately after the incident, according to the documents.
New York City baby dies after being burned by leaking radiator in apartment
On Wednesday, 24-year-old Sahara Dula, high on marijuana, drove the wrong way in a black Lexus and plowed into a police officer. (x)
A source told the New York Post that Dula also said, “These officers, this is a lesson for him. Hopefully he doesn't want to be a cop anymore.” That's what it means.
Video footage of the incident shows Doula reversing his car on Park Avenue near East 71st Street as officers were investigating an unrelated robbery at a nearby clothing store Wednesday around 4:30 p.m. The video shows the vehicle running and blocking part of the road. .
In the video, one of the officers can be seen approaching Doula's car and telling her to move into the correct lane. But instead of stopping, she rammed into the officer, who fell onto the hood of the car and then onto the street.
Other officers then rushed to the injured officer, who was lying on the ground.
New York City police arrest suspect in Queens stabbing that injured five people
Immediately after the incident, Sahara Dula reportedly shouted, “You cops!” (x)
The injured officer suffered a broken leg and bruises on multiple parts of his body, according to court documents.
According to the criminal complaint, Dula was taken into custody and charged with attempted first-degree assault, attempted aggravated assault on a police officer, second-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, and impaired capacity due to drugs and reckless driving. He was charged with operating a vehicle.
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Lucy Shepherd said at Doula's arraignment Friday in Manhattan Criminal Court that she “admitted to smoking marijuana.” Marijuana and rolling papers were found in her car.
Judge John Zuo Wang set Doula's bail at $25,000, but Doula did not immediately post bail.
The injured officer suffered a broken leg and bruises on multiple parts of his body. (x)
On Friday, Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Hendry questioned why Dula was not charged with attempted murder.
“While I am glad this person is behind bars, I do not understand why she has not been charged with attempted murder,” Hendry said in a statement. “This was a vicious attack. She intentionally tried to run over a New York City police officer. This leniency is why thousands of police officers are assaulted and assaulted every day.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Dula may have been spared the attempted murder charge because of questions about whether he intended to kill the officer, law enforcement sources told the New York Post.
In court, Dula's lawyer said she runs her own business where she tutors children on Saturdays and tries to help them get off the streets and away from drugs and gangs.
