CROMWELL, Conn. (WABC) — Connecticut State Representative Quentin “Q” Williams (D-Middletown) tragically died Thursday morning, less than 24 hours after being sworn in for a third term.
Officials say the fatal incident happened on Route 9 in Cromwell when a wrong-way vehicle collided head-on with a Williams.
Williams’ car caught fire on the side of the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The driver of the other vehicle also died in the crash, identified as Kimede Mustafaj, 27, of Manchester.
Governor Ned Lamont ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Williams. The Legislative Office Building closed Thursday and all committee meetings were also canceled.
“Quentin had an infectiously upbeat personality and relished the opportunity to represent his home of Middletown at the State Capitol. Public service was his passion and he always stood up for the people of his hometown,” Lamont said. .
The 39-year-old was the first African-American to represent the town of Middletown in the Connecticut General Assembly, according to Connecticut House Democrats website.
Williams also served as city treasurer in 2011 and was re-elected in 2015. He served on the planning and zoning commission in 2007 and was unanimously elected chairman of the commission in 2009.
“In a terrible, heartbreaking moment, I learned that my friend of nearly 20 years, Quentin ‘Q’ Williams, has tragically passed away. No statement by any friend, colleague, politician or person will ever be able to match his humility, his passion for justice or his zest for life,” state Rep. Jeff Luxenberg (Manchester) said of Williams.
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