After parking illegally, a Bronx cancer surgeon demanded a police officer let her go, insisting, “I’m the hero.” When the officer told her she was under arrest, she decided to flee in her car, hitting the officer in the process. Now, the judge has awarded her $1.2 million.

When former Bronx cancer surgeon Dr. Rachel Wellner parked her car illegally in a crosswalk near the intersection of Eighth Avenue and 55th Street, she found herself confronted by two New York Police Officers. They were in the midst of writing her a citation. Wellner reportedly proclaimed to the officers, “I’m the hero — the cops are not.” She further claimed that she had urgent lives to save, hoping this would allow her to avoid the ticket.

“I’m a doctor,” she allegedly stated. “I have patients that are dying. I have to go.”

Contrary to her claims, Wellner wasn’t rushing to save lives but heading home. When her excuse didn’t convince the officers, things escalated quickly. Wellner allegedly became upset and tried to leave in her car. When the officers attempted to arrest her, the situation worsened.

Wellner started shouting that the officers were hurting her. She managed to escape from them and got into her Volvo. According to reports, she then drove off, hitting one of the officers in the legs.

During the incident, she allegedly made a homophobic comment: “All women who are cops are dykes.” Officers tried to restrain Wellner, who was now seated in the car, crying out, “Help! Police are ­assaulting me!”

She was captured a few blocks away and arrested on charges of resisting arrest and reckless endangerment. After pleading guilty, the charges were significantly reduced to one count of disorderly conduct. Despite this, the story was far from over.

Though Wellner was sentenced to two years of conditional discharge and 10 days of community service, she soon filed a lawsuit against the officers, claiming they used excessive force. She demanded a significant settlement of $30 million, though the jury ultimately awarded her $1.2 million.

Wellner denied being aggressive or making any derogatory comments toward the police. She claimed that she told the officers they were the true heroes.

According to Wellner, the officer asked her if she considered herself a hero.

“No, I don’t consider myself a hero,” she reportedly replied. “You guys are heroes. But I do have patient emergencies.”

Wellner asserted that the officer assaulted her and used undue force during the arrest. She also claimed she only accelerated and struck the officer because she was scared for her life.

“He grabbed me along my rib cage, by the breasts, and squeezed as hard as he could,” Wellner stated. “I was trying to defuse the situation, offering to move the car and apologizing. But I felt I was pre-judged as a doctor who thinks she can do anything she wants.”

Wellner became emotional when describing her dismissal from her job at Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care. She also felt unsafe leaving her expensive apartment. Today, she has shifted careers and is now a semi-autobiographical erotic novelist, stand-up comedian, and children’s book author.

Maintaining her innocence, Wellner insists it was the police who escalated the situation, forcing her to act out of fear.

Wherever the truth lies, Wellner will receive a significant payout, all stemming from a situation that began with impatience over a parking spot. If this case doesn’t show the potential consequences of such actions, what does?