Bridgeport police Officer Cooper Whiteside, 38, was killed in a crash on Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury early Saturday morning.
The incident occurred at 2:45 a.m. when officers arrived to find a Jeep Compass and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle involved in the collision. The Jeep had extensive front-end damage, and the motorcycle was lying on its side. Authorities said the driver of the Jeep sustained serious injuries and was transported to Danbury Hospital for treatment.
Both operators of the motorcycle, including Whiteside and his passenger, 34-year-old Brittany Islami of New Milford, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Danbury Police Accident Investigation Team is conducting a reconstruction of the accident, which has led to Sugar Hollow Road being closed for several hours.
Whiteside, a Bridgeport resident, served with the Bridgeport Police Department starting in July 2024. He was also a former volunteer with the West Redding Volunteer Fire Department, contributing as a firefighter, EMT, lieutenant, training captain, and vice president.
Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter extended condolences to Whiteside’s family, friends, and fellow officers, highlighting his honorable service.