Photo Courtesy of rememberingq.com
Connecticut State Representative Quentin “Q” Williams died Thursday in a head-on collision while driving home from his swearing-in ceremony and Gov. Ned Lamont’s inaugural ball.
According to the accident report, the fatal incident happened early Thursday on Route 9 in Cromwell. Williams was driving south in his 2015 Infiniti in the left lane “near the Exit 18 entrance ramp.” The second vehicle’s operator, 27-year-old Kimede Katie Mustafaj of Manchester, Connecticut, was driving her 2014 Toyota north in the Southbound lane (wrong way), striking Williams’ car head-on. Williams’ car stopped on the left shoulder and burst into flames. Mustafaj’s car stopped in the median.
Both were pronounced dead on the scene.
The House Democrats took to Twitter to release a statement regarding Williams’ unfortunate death.
“We are overcome with disbelief and heartbreak at tragic news of the loss of Representative Quentin WIlliams (‘Q’) last night,” the statement read. “A champion for Middletown and CT, Q had just yesterday been sworn in and appointed House Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committe.”
The House added, “We will have time to reflect on Q as a legislator in the weeks to come, but right now we deeply mourn our friend and send all of our love to his family.”
In a statement, Speaker of the House Matt Ritter expressed his sadness at losing his friend.
“I am in shock,” Ritter remarked. “Q was my dear friend and I am scarred by his sudden loss. 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. We will all miss Q.”
A candlelight vigil was held on Jan. 6, 2023, at 7 p.m. Thousands gathered to mourn and celebrate Williams’ life.
The 39-year-old was Middletown’s first Black individual to serve in the Connecticut General Assembly.