NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A woman was indicted for driving the wrong way on the Upper East Side last month and intentionally striking an NYPD officer with her car, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr. announced Friday.
Sahara Dula, 24, was charged with attempted assault, attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer, assault, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, and reckless driving.
According to court documents, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 17, Dula drove her black Lexus northbound in the southbound lanes of Park Avenue for approximately 10 blocks while under the influence of marijuana.
Officers had been dusting for fingerprints at the Mackage clothing store at 68th Street and Madison Avenue while investigating a shoplifting incident, when they spotted a suspected getaway car.
She swerved in and out of traffic and changed speeds until she reached East 71st Street, where she paused in the middle of the intersection while she was blocked by traffic, officials said.
A police officer in the area approached Dula's vehicle on foot to direct her into the proper lane of traffic. Instead of complying, Dula accelerated and hit him with her vehicle, causing him to roll up onto the hood of the car and fall to the ground.
Dula was eventually arrested by another police officer in the area.
The officer struck by Dula has been unable to return to work.
"This defendant not only allegedly endangered the lives of countless people travelling on Park Avenue, but she deliberately sought to harm an NYPD officer," DA Bragg said. "We have no tolerance for this type of dangerous attack against police officers and we will continue to treat this matter with the seriousness that it deserves. I hope the officer who was injured has a full recovery and thank him for his service to keep New Yorkers safe."
