DANBURY, CT — A crash on Sugar Hollow Road early July 13 resulted in the deaths of an off-duty police officer and a motorcycle passenger, authorities confirmed.
Authorities report Melissa Ramirez, 27, of Stamford, allegedly drove her Jeep Compass into the path of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, killing 38-year-old Cooper Whiteside and 34-year-old Brittany Islami. Both were pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 2:45 a.m.
Whiteside, a Bridgeport Police Officer and volunteer firefighter, was traveling south when Ramirez, heading north, reportedly crossed over the center line, causing the collision. Investigators found empty beer containers in Ramirez’s vehicle and noted her blood alcohol content was nearly twice the legal limit.
Emergency responders from the Danbury Police Department summoned the Accident Reconstruction Team due to the severity of the incident. Police found Ramirez, who had to be extricated from her vehicle, with serious injuries. She was later hospitalized at Danbury Hospital.
Witness statements indicated that the motorcycle was operating normally at the time of the crash. Autopsies confirmed both victims died from blunt force trauma.
Ramirez faces multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle. She remains held on a $300,000 bond following her court appearance on Monday.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.