A Tennessee woman is accused of punching a police officer in the face and yelling racial slurs at him after being arrested Sunday.

Police said Dana Vela, 33, of Cordova, was involved in a car crash at the intersection of Cordova Road and North Germantown Parkway about 3:30 p.m.

>> Read more trending news

Vela was "visibly hysterical," according to a police affidavit. Officers said no one involved complained of any injuries, but one man told police that Vela assaulted him after the crash.

Vela was detained under suspicion of DUI, but she “managed to escape her handcuffs and attempted to escape from the squad car,” police said.

As an officer opened the door to get her back inside, police said Vela punched the officer in the face with the metal handcuff still on her wrist while yelling racial slurs and profane language.

Police charged Vela with DUI, public intoxication, assault, reckless driving and resisting arrest.

About the Author

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com