![]() He attended Middletown schools and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryant University and had a master’s degree in public administration from Villanova University. He grew up in public housing in Middletown, the only child of a single mother who worked at the state psychiatric hospital in town, Lesser said. Williams, who leaves behind his wife and mother, was the first African American to represent Middletown in the General Assembly, according to a biography on his legislative web page. “Representative Williams was a young, emerging leader who deftly balanced forward-looking thoughtfulness with passion and charisma in his work at the Capitol and within his community,” House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, the top Republican in the House of Representatives, said in a statement. There were similar expressions of condolences on Thursday from other Connecticut officials, both Democrats and Republicans, on the local, state and federal levels. Public service was his passion, and he was always advocating on behalf of the people of his hometown.” “Quentin had an infectiously optimistic personality, and he absolutely loved having the opportunity to represent his lifelong home of Middletown at the State Capitol. “This is devastating news, and I am incredibly saddened by this tragedy,” the governor said in a statement. Ned Lamont directed flags to be lowered to half-staff. The cause of the crash, including whether alcohol or drugs were involved, was under investigation. Cromwell is about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) south of Hartford, where the governor’s inaugural ball was held.Īuthorities identified the wrong-way driver as Kimede Mustafaj, 27, of Manchester, Connecticut, who also died in the collision. His car then burst into flames, troopers said. State police said Williams was driving southbound on Route 9 in Cromwell, heading toward Middletown, when he was struck head-on by a vehicle going the wrong way shortly after 12:30 a.m. ![]() “We will have time to reflect on Q as a legislator in the weeks to come, but right now I deeply mourn my friend and send all of my love to Carrissa, Queen and Q’s family. “Q was my dear friend and I am scarred by his sudden loss.” Ritter said. “I am in shock,” said Democratic House Speaker Matt Ritter, who, along with House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, announced Williams’ death on behalf of the late lawmaker’s family in a public statement. But after news of Williams’ death, legislative leaders announced they had closed the state Capitol and Legislative Office Building, postponing all legislative activities until Monday. The committee was originally scheduled to hold its first meeting Thursday. “Just last night, with the governor’s ball, he got pulled into a work meeting with his Labor (committee) co-chair and they were fiercely coming up with plans for the incoming legislative session,” Lesser said. Lesser had recruited his longtime friend Williams, known as “Q,” to run for his old House seat. Matthew Lesser, D-Middletown, told The Associated Press in an interview. “I was so proud of him and his incredible accomplishments and had so much hope for what he was yet to do,” state Sen. Williams had dreams of eventually running for higher office he previously served as co-chairman of the legislature’s Housing Committee. His death came as a huge shock to friends and colleagues who had just seen the newly minted co-chairman of the General Assembly’s Labor and Public Employees Committee on Wednesday, opening day of the 2023 legislative session. Quentin Williams, a 39-year-old Democrat from Middletown, died in the crash that also happened just hours after he was sworn-in for a third term. (AP) - A Connecticut state representative, considered a rising political star, was killed when a wrong-way driver crashed head-on into his vehicle early Thursday morning as he returned home from the governor’s inauguration ball, state police said. ![]() ![]() Business & Finance Click to expand menu.
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