Illegal immigrant charged in drunken crash that killed off-duty Connecticut cop, girlfriend

An illegal immigrant who federal authorities say was living in the United States has been charged after a crash killed an off-duty police officer and his longtime girlfriend while they were on a motorcycle earlier this month.

Melissa Ramirez, 27, of Stamford was arrested in connection with the July 13 crash that claimed the lives of Cooper Whiteside, 38, and his girlfriend, Brittany Islami, 34, who was riding as his motorcycle passenger. The Connecticut Centinel reported that Whiteside was found on his back with significant injuries to his head and torso with an officer reporting a pool of blood on the road and his femur protruding from his leg. The pair died from blunt force trauma the medical examiner determined.

The Department of Homeland Security told the New York Post that Ramirez was living in the country without documentation.

“Melissa Esperanza Ramirez-Romero is a criminal illegal alien with charges for Vehicular Manslaughter and DUI. On July 26, 2026, ICE lodged a detainer against her,” the department said.

Police say that Brittany Islami mother of three children aged 7, 10, and 12 — suffered “significant injuries” and “had blood around her face." Police noted she was not wearing a helmet.

According to investigators, Ramirez told police she had consumed one 12-ounce Corona beer before the crash and initially laughed when officers asked whether she had used any drugs. She later acknowledged that she had consumed cannabis three days earlier, on July 10.

One of the responding officers, Aaron Wolen, reported that Ramirez had watery, bloodshot eyes and that a strong odor of alcohol was coming from her. Authorities also found spilled beer inside her Jeep Compass, along with a THC vape cartridge, the New York Post.

Toxicology results later showed Ramirez had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.14 which is twice Connecticut's legal limit. She also tested positive for cannabis, the New York Post reports.

Ramirez was arrested last Friday, the same day Officer Cooper Whiteside was laid to rest. She faces charges including two counts of second-degree manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, traveling at an unreasonable speed, and failure to maintain her lane, per the New York Post.

Her attorney, Daniel Thibodeau, said Ramirez has lived in Connecticut for most of her life and has no prior criminal record.