An illegal migrant has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and DUI following her role in a crash that killed an off-duty Connecticut police officer and his girlfriend earlier this month in Danbury, Connecticut. 

Melissa Ramirez, 27, of Stamford was arrested in connection with the July 13 crash that took the lives of Cooper Whiteside, 38, and his girlfriend, Brittany Islami, 34, who was riding as a passenger on his motorcycle.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, posted on X Thursday that “Melissa Esperanza Ramirez Romero is facing charges including two counts of second degree manslaughter after she struck and killed Officer Cooper Whiteside and his girlfriend. Connecticut sanctuary politicians must cooperate with @ICEgov and commit to NOT RELEASING this killer back onto our streets.”

DHS 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.

Officer Whiteside was found on his back with significant injuries to his head and torso. The pair died from blunt force trauma the medical examiner determined. Islami was the mother of three young children (ages 12, 10, and 7). The accident occurred at about 2:45 a.m.

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.