What began as a minor fender-bender in New Jersey spiraled into a shocking scene of rage, racism, and criminal charges — all captured on police bodycam. A woman’s violent and hate-filled meltdown during a traffic stop is now being used as evidence in a case that prosecutors say could lead to three felony convictions.
According to the Trenton Police Department, officers were called to the scene of a two-car collision near Broad Street on August 10, 2023. The initial report described the crash as minor, with no serious injuries. But what should have been a routine exchange of insurance information quickly turned into chaos when one of the drivers — a woman identified as 43-year-old Amanda Lewis — allegedly began yelling racial slurs and physically resisting officers.
Bodycam footage from one of the responding officers shows Lewis stepping out of her vehicle visibly agitated. She shouts at the other driver, who was calmly speaking to police, before turning her anger toward the officers themselves.
“You people don’t know who I am!” she can be heard screaming, followed by a string of racist insults that cannot be repeated publicly.
When officers tried to de-escalate the situation, Lewis reportedly pushed one of them, prompting another officer to step in and restrain her. The footage then shows her attempting to kick an officer while continuing to scream racial epithets.
“We gave her every opportunity to calm down and comply,” said Lieutenant James Porter, the on-scene supervisor. “Unfortunately, her aggression only escalated.”
After a brief struggle, officers managed to detain Lewis, placing her in handcuffs while she continued shouting obscenities. She was charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, and hate crime harassment, all classified as felonies under New Jersey law.
The other driver involved in the crash was unharmed and told investigators that he was “completely stunned” by the woman’s behavior.
“I’ve been in accidents before, but I’ve never seen anything like that,” he said. “It was terrifying.”
Following the arrest, police discovered that Lewis had two prior incidents of disorderly conduct and had been previously cited for aggressive driving. She was released on bond pending a court hearing later this month.
Legal analyst Rachel Hines commented on the case, noting that the video evidence could play a significant role in the outcome:
“Bodycam footage like this leaves little room for dispute. The racial slurs and physical aggression elevate what might have been a misdemeanor into serious felony charges.”
Trenton authorities released the footage publicly to highlight the dangers officers face during routine calls — and to emphasize that hate-driven behavior has no place in society.
“There’s no excuse for racism or violence, period,” said Lt. Porter. “Our officers handled this situation professionally, and we’re grateful no one was seriously hurt.”
Lewis now faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on all counts. The case serves as a stark reminder that anger, prejudice, and poor decisions can turn a simple accident into a life-changing criminal disaster.
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