Motorcycle Crash Claims Lives of Off-Duty Officer and Passenger in Danbury
DANBURY, CT — An off-duty Bridgeport police officer and his female passenger were killed in a motorcycle crash on Sugar Hollow Road early Monday morning.
Patrol units responded to the collision at approximately 2:45 a.m., according to the Danbury Police Department. Officers found a severely damaged Jeep Compass and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle lying in the roadway.
The driver of the Jeep was transported to Danbury Hospital with suspected serious injuries. The motorcycle operator, 38-year-old Cooper Whiteside of Danbury, and his passenger, 34-year-old Brittany Islami of New Milford, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary investigations indicate the motorcycle was traveling south while the Jeep was headed north on Sugar Hollow Road at the time of the collision.
Whiteside was a member of the Bridgeport Police Department since July 2024, noted Police Chief Roderick Porter. He was also involved with the West Redding Volunteer Fire Department for many years, working in various capacities including EMT and lieutenant.
The scene was secured for the Danbury Police Department’s Accident Investigation Team to conduct a reconstruction and evidence recovery. Sugar Hollow Road was closed for several hours.
The investigation remains ongoing. Witnesses are encouraged to contact Sgt. Wakeman at 203-797-2157 or Officer Wolen at 203-797-4614, ext. 661.