A Connecticut youth killed his girlfriend last year in a drunken, violent night that ended with him hitting her with his truck, according to local authorities.
Cooper Ouellette, now 19, turned himself in on Friday, according to an arrest warrant obtained by CBS affiliate WFSB on Monday.
Ouellette was charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death of Sophie Ringquist, 17, on May 21, 2023, in Burlington, the Hartford Courant reported. He posted $50,000 bail following his arrest and was released.
The two were in a tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship ahead of May 20, 2023, when Ouellette picked up Ringquist before a party in Terryville, police said. On the way, Ouellette illegally bought alcohol while underage and distributed it to teens at the gathering, according to investigators.
At the party, Ouellette and Ringquist got into heated arguments, and he kicked her with his boots and shoved her against the side of the truck, according to the arrest warrant. Though Ringquist tried to find another ride home, Ouellette insisted on taking her, police said.
When the two finally left the party, Ouellette drove erratically, cops said. Connecticut State Police said he rapidly accelerated four times, slammed the brakes five times and topped 70 mph.
At one point, Ringquist began recording a video of the trip, which shows her slowly opening the passenger’s door, according to police. At that point, Ouellette stomps on the gas and floors it and Ringquist appears to fall out of the truck, investigators said.
Ringquist later sent a photo to several friends that showed her with a bloody nose and a red mark on her face. While outside the vehicle, Ringquist texted someone, “I’m scared,” according to police.
After the two got back into the truck together, Ouellette drove erratically near Ringquist’s home, and she was eventually “separated” from the vehicle and experienced “significant pain,” according to the arrest warrant.
Ringquist’s parents took her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:51 a.m., police said. According to investigators, when they interviewed Ouellette he demonstrated concern for Ringquist and showed little emotion when told she was dead.
An autopsy revealed she died from blunt force injuries to her torso, with the manner of death was ruled a homicide by motor vehicle accident, according to investigators.