Quentin Williams, a Democratic state legislator from Connecticut, was killed in a traffic accident early yesterday after a wrong-way driver struck him and his vehicle caught fire, authorities said.
Williams was slammed on his way home from the inauguration ball for re-elected Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, just hours after he himself was sworn in for his third term in office.
The accident occurred about 15 miles from Hartford, the state capital. The wrong-way driver, Kimede Mustafaj, 27, was also killed. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were involved, he said. New York Post.
Governor Lamont ordered the state flags to be flown at half mast in light of the tragedy. “This is devastating news and I am incredibly saddened by this tragedy,” he said in a statement.
The tragic accident occurred around 12:30 am Thursday as the 39-year-old Democrat was traveling south on Route 9 in Cromwell en route to Middletown, the area he represented in the state House. His car was engulfed in flames after the frontal impact, authorities said.
Williams was the new co-chairman of the General Assembly Committee on Labor and Public Employees. That committee was scheduled to meet for the first time on Thursday, but instead all legislative activity was postponed until Monday as the state Capitol and the legislative office building were closed.
“We were as close as possible to two people… I don’t think I’ve ever received a call as devastating as the one I received at 6:06. this morning,” said state senator Matt Lesser, according to the channel WTNH.
“Rep. Williams truly embodied that phrase of being ‘larger than life,'” Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim said in a statement. “His laugh, smile and his presence were felt in every space shared with him. His passing is a true loss to our community. A light has gone out today.”