Rose Shannon

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Jul 24, 2026, 5:32 PM

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Updated

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A woman is facing charges for her involvement in a fatal crash that killed Bridgeport Police Officer Cooper Whiteside and his girlfriend Brittany Islami earlier this month.

Melissa Ramirez was taken into custody in Stamford Friday by Danbury police, with help from Stamford and Bridgeport officers.

The crash happened July 13 at 2:45 a.m. on Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury near the Ridgefield town line between a Jeep being driven by Ramirez and a motorcycle operated by Whiteside.

Police say Ramirez's Jeep had extensive front-end damage. They also say she was removed from the vehicle and taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Ramirez has been charged with manslaughter, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, traveling unreasonable fast and failure to drive in the proper lane.

She is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Ramirez was arrested the same day that Whiteside's funeral was held in Bethel.

PRIOR COVERAGE:

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