New York City, NY — A 25-year-old woman who intentionally ran over a New York City police officer while driving the wrong way on Park Avenue has been sentenced to two years in prison, a punishment that police unions say falls far short of justice.
NYPD Officer Struck During Upper East Side Incident
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Sahara Dula, 25, was high on marijuana and driving the wrong way on Park Avenue near East 71st Street around 4:30 p.m. on January 17, 2024, when she encountered officers who were responding to a robbery investigation at a nearby luxury clothing store.
The road had been partially closed, and officers were in the street managing traffic when one officer approached Dula’s Lexus, trying to guide her into the correct lane. Instead of stopping, Dula accelerated, slamming directly into the officer, causing him to roll onto the hood and fall hard onto the pavement.
The officer sustained a fractured leg and was transported to a nearby hospital, as reported by The Post.
Defendant’s Rant and Arrest
After her arrest at the scene, Dula launched into an anti-police tirade, admitting that she had intentionally hit the officer.
“F–k these cops. He wouldn’t move,” she told investigators, according to court documents.
Police later found rolling papers and a canister of marijuana inside her vehicle, confirming she was under the influence at the time of the incident. Prosecutors said Dula had driven northbound in the southbound lanes for nearly 10 blocks, endangering numerous lives before the crash occurred.
Charges, Plea Deal, and Sentencing
Dula was originally indicted on multiple charges, including attempted assault, attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer, operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs, and reckless driving.
She later pleaded guilty to assault in the second degree on June 16, 2024, as part of a plea deal that reduced her prison time to two years followed by three years of probation.
Her attorney, Patricia Wright, told the court that Dula, a college criminal justice graduate, suffers from bipolar disorder and has been receiving ongoing mental health treatment.
During sentencing before Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Melissa T. Lewis, Dula expressed no public remorse, while the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) criticized the outcome as too lenient.
Police Union Condemns Sentence
PBA President Patrick Hendry strongly denounced the two-year sentence, arguing that the punishment does not fit the severity of the crime.
“The sentence is not nearly enough,” Hendry said. “This individual tried to run down a New York City police officer. She could have killed him. We’re glad she is going behind bars instead of walking free, but our justice system needs to send a message that there will be zero leniency for attacks on police officers.”
Public Reaction and Broader Debate
The case has reignited discussion over sentencing disparities and accountability for violent acts against law enforcement. Critics argue that plea deals like this undermine public trust, while others emphasize the importance of mental health considerations in sentencing.
Prosecutors have maintained that despite the reduced sentence, the conviction reflects the serious nature of Dula’s actions and ensures that she will be supervised for years after her release.
Do you think the two-year sentence is fair for intentionally hitting a police officer? Should courts take mental health into account in such violent cases? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
