Woman who deliberately hit NYPD officer with car gets 2 years in prison

A lady who intentionally hit an NYPD officer along with her automotive after shouting anti-police feedback has been sentenced to jail, a punishment the police union says was too lenient.

Sahara Dula, 25, obtained the sentence Wednesday in Manhattan Supreme Court docket, together with three years of post-release supervision, after pleading responsible to second-degree assault in June.

Prosecutors mentioned Dula deliberately struck the officer along with her black Lexus on Jan. 17, 2024, whereas driving the fallacious manner on Park Avenue close to East 71st Avenue. Officers have been within the space investigating a theft at a close-by luxurious boutique and had partially closed the roadway, in accordance with courtroom paperwork.

The video cited within the paperwork reveals an officer approaching Dula’s automotive to direct her again into the right lane. As a substitute of stopping, Dula accelerated and struck the officer head-on. The officer rolled over the hood earlier than hitting the pavement and suffered a damaged leg, prosecutors mentioned within the lawsuits.

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Sahara Dula informed investigators “I did it on goal” after he attacked an NYPD officer on Park Avenue in 2024. (X/@MrAndyNgo)

Dula was instantly taken into custody, police mentioned. Whereas she was being arrested, she went on a tirade at police and admitted to hitting the officer on goal, courtroom information present.

“I informed the officer I wished to go straight, however he would not transfer, so I hit him. I did it on goal,” Dula informed investigators, in accordance with the information.

“F— these cops! He would not transfer!” she shouted shortly after the incident, the paperwork state.

Authorities mentioned Dula drove about 10 blocks north within the southbound lanes of Park Avenue whereas underneath the affect of marijuana. Officers discovered rolling paper and a container of marijuana within the cup holder of her automotive, courtroom information present.

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Sahara Dula, 24, informed investigators she struck the officer “on goal.” (X/@MrAndyNgo)

Dula, a prison justice graduate, has been identified with bipolar dysfunction and is receiving ongoing psychological well being therapy. according to the New York Post.

Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Affiliation, criticized the end result, telling Fox Information Digital that the justice system must ship a stronger message.

“The punishment will not be practically sufficient,” Hendry mentioned. “This particular person tried to run down a New York Metropolis police officer. She may have killed him. We’re glad she’s going behind bars as a substitute of strolling free, however there ought to be no leniency for assaults on law enforcement officials.”

Her lawyer, Patricia Wright, informed Fox Information Digital that Dula has accepted accountability for her actions.

“Ms. Dula has taken accountability for her actions, has pleaded responsible and has been sentenced in accordance with the regulation,” Wright mentioned. “We sincerely hope that the officer concerned within the assault on Ms Dula will likely be held to a excessive normal of professionalism sooner or later and won’t have the chance to have interaction in such habits once more.”

Since her arrest, Wright mentioned Dula has totally complied with all pretrial launch situations and has been a “mannequin citizen.”

Dula was initially charged with a number of fees, together with tried assault, tried aggravated assault on a police officer, assault, driving underneath the affect of medication and reckless driving, in accordance with the grievance.

Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg beforehand condemned the assault in a February 2024 press launch asserting the fees, calling it a “harmful assault” on regulation enforcement.

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Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg beforehand condemned the assault as a “harmful assault” on regulation enforcement. (Barry Williams for NY Each day Information by way of Getty Photos)

“Not solely did this defendant endanger the lives of numerous individuals touring on Park Avenue, however she deliberately tried to hurt an NYPD officer,” Bragg mentioned. “We won’t tolerate this sort of assault and can proceed to deal with it with the seriousness it deserves. I hope the injured officer makes a full restoration and thank him for his service.”

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Whereas the second-degree assault cost carried a most sentence of seven years, Dula’s plea deal lowered her jail sentence to 2 years, adopted by three years of supervised launch, Wright mentioned.

Stepheny Value covers crime together with lacking individuals, murders and migrant crime. Ship story tricks to stepheny.value@fox.com.