A Connecticut man has been accused of running over his 17-year-old girlfriend with his truck in an incident authorities are describing as domestic violence, according to an arrest warrant obtained by multiple news outlets.
Cooper Oullette, 19, faces charges of first-degree manslaughter and delivery of alcohol to a minor in connection with the 2023 death of Sophie Ringquist, 17, as reported by the Hartford Courant.
Oullette surrendered to Connecticut State Police on July 12 and was released on a $50,000 bond. He was scheduled to appear in court on July 15. It remains unclear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to represent him.
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The investigation began on May 21, 2023, when Ringquist was taken to Bristol Hospital by family members after allegedly falling out of Oullette’s Chevy pickup truck in Burlington, Connecticut, earlier that evening. She later succumbed to her injuries.
According to the warrant, Oullette, then 18, and Ringquist attended a party in Terryville before the incident. A witness reported multiple instances of physical domestic violence between the two at the party. Oullette allegedly consumed alcohol, kept some in his truck, and distributed it at the party. The couple had an “on-again, off-again relationship,” according to authorities.
After leaving the party together, Oullette reportedly interrupted Ringquist’s attempts to get another ride home. According to the warrant, he drove erratically, pulling over at one point to record Ringquist with his phone. In the recording, Ringquist is seen trying to get out of the truck as Oullette accelerated, causing her to fall to the ground.
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Court documents reveal that Ringquist sent a text message saying, “I’m scared,” and then got back into the truck. Oullette drove toward her home, but evidence, including cell phone data and witness statements, indicated his truck was speeding through her neighborhood. Ringquist sent a photo to someone showing a bloody nose and a mark on her face.
Investigators believe Oullette accelerated while Ringquist was outside the truck, causing her to be crushed by one of the truck’s tires. He then dropped her off at home. Oullette initially told police that Ringquist fell from the truck because she felt nauseous and that he stopped before she fell.
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