The driver involved in a deadly head-on collision that killed an off-duty police officer and his girlfriend in Connecticut last month is in the country illegally and accused of driving drunk and high, police said.
The driver, 27-year-old Melissa Ramirez, now faces two counts of manslaughter in connection with the July 13 crash in Danbury, Conn.
Bridgeport police officer, Cooper Whiteside, 38, of Danbury, and his passenger, 34-year-old Brittany Islami of New Milford, were found dead at the scene, according to Danbury police.
Ramirez was also reportedly going nearly 20 miles over the speed limit before she crossed the center line and collided with Whiteside’s Harley Davidson. Police also found spilled beer and a THC vape cartridge in her Jeep.
SAY HIS NAME: Cooper Whiteside
Connecticut cop was just kiIIed along with his girlfriend, Brittany Islami, when illegal alien Melissa Ramirez crashed into them while driving drunk.
Ramirez's blood alcohol level was TWICE the legal limit.
Connecticut has sanctuary policies that… pic.twitter.com/cK9f2UmFgY
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 28, 2026
“It appeared that the can of Corona beer had spilled during the crash, as there was fresh beer spilled all over the rear passenger area of the Jeep,” per the warrant, as reported by News 12 Connecticut.
Ramirez, a mom of two from Mexico, allegedly clocked speeds of 53 mph in a 45 mph zone at impact, the New York Post reported.
She also faces charges for driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, traveling unreasonably fast and failure to drive in the correct lanes, WTNH News 8 reported. Ramirez’s blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit and she also tested positive for cannabis, police said.
Federal authorities lodged an immigration detainer for Ramirez on July 26, confirming: “Melissa Esperanza Ramirez-Romero is a criminal illegal alien with charges for vehicular manslaughter and DUI.”
Police responded to the crash around 2:45 a.m. on July 13 involving a motorcycle and a Jeep. The motorcycle was found lying on its side in front of the Jeep, police said.
Whiteside and his passenger died as a result of blunt force trauma, according to the medical examiner.
According to an arrest warrant, Ramirez allegedly crossed over the double yellow lines and crashed head-on into the motorcycle. Ramirez also suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Investigators determined Ramirez was speeding at the time of the crash. Her Jeep was traveling 63 mph before impact, when the posted speed limit was 45 mph, according to the arrest warrant.
Authorities did not find evidence that she attempted to brake or avoid the collision, News 8 reported.
A toxicology report and blood and urine samples taken from Ramirez at the hospital showed that she had a BAC of 0.14, which is nearly twice the legal limit in Connecticut.
Responding officers noticed her eyes were allegedly watery and bloodshot, and she had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her, police said.
Police recovered an empty Corona bottle, an empty Corona can and a THC vape cartridge. They noted the Corona beer appeared to have spilled during the crash.
Ramirez reportedly told police she had one 12-ounce Corona beer, and initially laughed when they asked her if she had taken any drugs, The Post reported. She later admitted that she took cannabis on July 10, three days before the crash.
The Bridgeport Police Department said Whiteside had been an officer on the police department since July 2024.
In addition, Whiteside had served for many years as a firefighter, EMT, lieutenant, training captain and vice president of the West Redding Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company, according to officials who posted a tribute on Facebook.
Connecticut lawmakers also sounded off over the state’s sanctuary policies following the crash.
“It begs the question, if we had actually been enforcing the immigration laws, if we had actually been cooperating with ICE in Connecticut, instead of opposing ICE, whether or not this tragedy would’ve happened at all,” State Rep. Craig Fishbein (R-90th) said, per News 8.
During an initial hearing on July 27, Judge Sean McGuinness set bond at $300,000, with the condition that it cannot be posted until a GPS ankle bracelet is installed and activated.
Her defense attorney Daniel Thibideau told the court Ramirez was born in Mexico but has lived her entire life in Connecticut and has significant local family ties.
Ramirez’s license has been suspended indefinitely, and her next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 31, The Centinal reported.
