NEW YORK (PIX11) -- A Brooklyn woman accused of hitting an officer with her car is now speaking out about her arrest, which has one of the officers under investigation by internal affairs.
The incident occurred on Jan. 17 at 4:30 p.m. on the Upper East Side. Dashcam footage captures the moment when an NYPD officer collided with a Lexus.
Sahara Dula, 24, was behind the wheel. Dula claimed, according to prosecutors, she had just smoked marijuana and was experiencing a mental health crisis.
In the February indictment, Dula was charged with driving the wrong way on Park Avenue and intentionally hitting the officer.
Newly obtained body camera footage, provided to PIX11 News by defense counsel, shows Dula being apprehended, searched, and arrested in a 45-second clip.
Dula's attorney, Patricia Wright, alleges that another officer intentionally kicked her in the head, knocking her glasses off, after she was on the ground being handcuffed.
"This officer walked over and kicked her in the head. It wasn't an accident. It couldn't have been an accident," Wright said.
In response, the NYPD emailed to state that the unidentified officer has been suspended without pay pending an internal investigation.
Dula is now speaking out for the first time, stating that after the alleged hit, she surrendered herself to the NYPD and was not physically combative.
"After the alleged hit, I surrendered myself to the NYPD. I got out of the car and put my hands up," Dula said.
She then recalled the moment she was allegedly struck.
"As they drag me away and slam me to the floor, an officer kicks me in the face while I'm handcuffed on the floor, not a threat to anyone," Dula said.
PBA President Patrick Hendry responded in a statement to PIX11, saying,
These allegations are under investigation by the NYPD, and the police officer involved is entitled to due process. However, that investigation does not change the fact that this individual admitted to intentionally mowing down a police officer with her car. She is also entitled to due process, after which she must face the full consequences for her actions.
PBA President Patrick HendryCourt documents from the Manhattan District Attorney reveal rambling and contradictory statements made by Dula on video during and after her arrest. They include, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit him," and "I did it on purpose."
When pressed for clarity, Dula's attorney declined to respond, stating they would address the matter at trial.
Dula is scheduled to appear in criminal court in April. Her attorney did not confirm whether they would seek a civil case against the NYPD.