'Real Housewives of O.C.' Star Arrested for PUNCHING A COP!!!

The daughter of "Real Housewives of Orange County" star Tammy Knickerbocker is behind the craziest DUI arrest of recent memory -- after she allegedly rammed several parked cars while super duper drunk ... and then PUNCHED A COP.

According to cops, 23-year-old Lindsey Knickerbocker was popped on December 14 after witnesses told police she had smashed into two parked cars on Balboa Island in O.C.. Witnesses said Lindsey then fled to a friend's house nearby.

When police followed Lindsey to the house, cops say Lindsey punched one of the arresting officers in the stomach. Lindsey was promptly placed under arrest.

Now the insane part -- according to court docs, Lindsey is accused of having a blood alcohol content of .32% at the time of her arrest ... FOUR TIMES the legal limit in California.

Lindsey has since been charged with four crimes -- DUI, driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, hit-and-run, and battery on an officer.