A state legislator in Connecticut was killed in a car crash just hours after he was sworn into office on Wednesday.
39-year-old Quentin Williams was killed after a car driving the wrong way collided with his vehicle. Police said that his car was engulfed in flames and that he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified by police as the driver following an autopsy.
The wrong-way driver, 27-year-old Kimede Mustafaj of Manchester, was also pronounced dead at the scene.
Connecticut state legislators expressed their sympathies to William’s family over their colleague’s sudden death.
“Rep. Williams was an amazing human being. His infectious smile could instantly make a difficult day better,” Connecticut House Majority Leader Jason Rojas said in a statement. “He was an amazing husband, friend and colleague. He loved community and serving others. Truly — a friend to all who knew him. This is a terrible tragedy and a great loss to our state.”
“As a legislator he was a passionate and committed public servant whose intellect and warmth made our state a better place and the General Assembly a better place,” said State Sen. Matt Lesser in a statement.
In the wake of Williams’ death, state leaders canceled legislative meetings and closed the Capitol Complex in Hartford on Thursday, while Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont ordered that state flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of the perished lawmaker.
“This is devastating news, and I am incredibly saddened by this tragedy,” Lamont said in a statement. “Quentin had an infectiously optimistic personality, and he absolutely loved having the opportunity to represent his lifelong home of Middletown at the State Capitol. Public service was his passion, and he was always advocating on behalf of the people of his hometown. He was a genuine person with a genuine soul, and he will be missed.”
Williams, a Democrat, had served the residents of his hometown of Middletown in the Connecticut State House since 2019. He was recently appointed to serve as co-chair of the legislature’s labor committee.
He is survived by his wife, Carrissa Williams. State officials said that information on services will be available in the coming days.
