She didn't panic. the video is out there, "drive baby drive", smug look on her face, smiling before she steps on the gas, etc.
it was gleeful defiance all the way through, coupled with an inability to judge the seriousness of the situation as she drove towards an armed officer, whom the law clears to take action in such an extreme case.
actions have consequences and now she's dead. was it a stupid way to die? sure. did she "deserve" it? no. did she do everything wrong, and kept escalating in defiance until karma caught up? yes.