(CBrief) – A state lawmaker from Connecticut was killed in a fiery wrong-way crash this week shortly after he was sworn into office, according to reports. Democratic Rep. Quentin Williams of Middletown, 39, died in a crash that occurred on Route 9 early on Thursday, the New York Times reported.
An accident report filed by the Connecticut State Police said that the other driver was traveling on the wrong side of a highway and hit Williams’ vehicle. Both drivers were killed, but Williams’ vehicle burst into flames. The other driver was identified as Kimede Katie Mustafaj, 27.
“State Representative Quentin ‘Q’ Willams is honored to serve the residents of Middletown in the 100th District, which includes the Downtown, Northend, South Fire District, Wesleyan Hills, and Wesleyan University areas,” says a biography posted to the website of Connecticut House Democrats.
It adds:
Quentin is a graduate of Middletown Public Schools, earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Bryant University, a Master’s of Public Administration from Villanova University, and a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University.
Shortly after Q’s graduation from Bryant, he continued working in community banking in Hartford’s Northend. In 2012, “Q” embarked on a new professional career path in not-for-profit management and was named Executive Director of the Middletown Downtown Business District. As director for the DBD, he launched Middletown’s first Middletown Restaurant Week.
Quentin now serves Excellence Community Schools as their Director of Advocacy and Policy. In this role, he builds capacity and supports Excellence Community School families through advocacy, community organizing, and strategic partnering. “Q” is also the co-founder and former co-director of EquityCT, a nonprofit dedicated to creating learning opportunities, building actionable understanding of equity, and consciously dismantling systemic inequity through action and civic engagement. Furthering his career in education, Professor Q. joined the University of Hartford’s Interdisciplinary Studies (UIS) faculty as an adjunct professor teaching students a course entitled, “Leadership: Opportunities and Challenges”.
Representative Williams was named “40 Under 40” in Fairfield County Business Journal (2017) Hartford Business Journal (2015) and Connecticut Magazine (2013) for his professional and volunteerism achievements. “Q” was an American Council for Young Political Leaders Russia Delegate (2016), Community Foundation of Middlesex County Next Generation Leader (2018), Jewish Federation of North America Municipal Leader Israel Exchange (2019), State Legislative Leader Foundation Emerging Leader (2020), NewDeal Leader (2021), and a Robert J. Thompson Eastern Leadership Academy Fellow (2021).
Quentin takes great pride in his involvement with numerous charitable and service organizations. He served on the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated – Beta Sigma Lambda Chapter Foundation Board of Directors, Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater Board of Directors, Middlesex United Way Board of Directors, Middletown Racial Justice Coalition (steering committee), Middlesex Substance Abuse Action Council Board of Directors and as an active member in Cross Street Zion A.M.E.Church, Middletown Young Democrats, The Community Foundation of Middlesex County Live Local Give Local 365 Fund, and the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Alliance (steering committee). Quentin is a former Columbus House (formerly Red Cross) Chocolate to the Rescue event Chair. “Q” has also served on the board of directors for Middlesex Historical Society and Mount Saint John Academy and president of Connecticut Young Democrats.
He is a champion for social and racial equality, human rights, accessible housing for all and supporting youth programs to help prepare them for successful futures.
“Q” Williams first served in Connecticut General Assembly in 2019 and was sworn-in for his third term in 2023. He served as City Treasurer in 2011 and re-elected in 2015. In 2007, Quentin was elected to the Planning & Zoning commission and in 2009 he was unanimously elected Chair of the Commission.
Connecticut state Representative Quentin Williams was killed by reckless driver hours after swearing-in. RIP 🙏🕊 pic.twitter.com/mfy9V6MTRO
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) January 6, 2023
His district is located in the middle part of the state.
In August, GOP Rep. Jackie Walorski of Indiana was also killed in a motor vehicle accident.
According to the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle the late Republican lawmaker was riding in was determined to be “at fault” in the crash that claimed the lives of Walorski and three others.
“Our investigation has determined that the cause of the crash was driving left of center with a contributing factor of excessive speed,” said a sheriff’s office press release. “The at-fault vehicle was the Toyota RAV4 driven by Zachery Potts.”
conservativebrief.com/lawmaker-fiery-69712/
