An illegal migrant is accused of killing an off-duty Connecticut police officer and his girlfriend in a head-on collision on July 13, authorities said. The suspect, identified as Melissa Ramirez, 27, allegedly drove drunk and high, and was speeding at the time of the crash.
Ramirez, a mother of two from Mexico, is facing charges including manslaughter and driving under the influence. According to police reports, she was clocked at 56 mph in a 45 mph zone when her Jeep struck the motorcycle carrying officer Cooper Whiteside, 38, and his passenger, Brittany Islami, 34. The impact sent both Whiteside and Islami from the motorcycle.
Whiteside, an officer with the Bridgeport Police Department, was found with severe injuries to his head, extremities, and torso. Islami, a mother of three, sustained significant injuries and was not wearing a helmet. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene due to blunt force trauma. Investigators noted the crash occurred within the motorcycle lane, indicating Ramirez’s vehicle may have crossed into oncoming traffic.
Authorities reported that Ramirez initially claimed to have consumed only one beer. However, she later admitted to using cannabis three days prior to the incident. Responding officers observed watery, bloodshot eyes and detected a strong odor of alcohol. A search of her vehicle revealed spilled beer and a THC vape cartridge.
Her blood alcohol content was recorded at 0.14, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08, and she tested positive for cannabis. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Ramirez was in the country illegally and that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had lodged a detainer against her on July 26, 2026.
Ramirez was arrested on Friday, the same day as Whiteside’s funeral. In addition to manslaughter and DUI charges, she faces counts for traveling unreasonably fast and failure to drive in the correct lanes. Her driver's license has been suspended indefinitely. Ramirez is scheduled to appear in court again on August 31. Her attorney stated that she has resided in Connecticut her entire life and has no prior criminal record.