A Connecticut point out agent on his way property from an inaugural ball to kick off the new time period was killed when a incorrect-way driver hit him head-on early Thursday, condition police explained.
Officers from throughout the condition mourned the loss of State Consultant Quentin Williams of Middletown, a town about a 20-minute push south of the money, Hartford. Gov. Ned Lamont purchased the state flag to be reduced to 50 percent-team in honor of Mr. Williams, contacting his decline “devastating.”
The crash transpired on Route 9 in Cromwell, just north of Middletown, at about 12:45 a.m. The Connecticut Point out Law enforcement explained that Mr. Williams was touring south when he was hit by a car touring north in the southbound lane. The driver of that automobile, 27-12 months-outdated Kimede Katie Mustafaj of Manchester, Conn., was also killed.
The vehicle driven by Mr. Williams, 39, was “fully engulfed in flames” after the crash, according to the law enforcement.
Point out lawmakers closed the Capitol Elaborate and canceled conferences for Thursday and Friday. State Senator Matt Lesser observed that Mr. Williams, who was a Democrat, had just been appointed chair of the Labor and Community Staff members Committee. He was scheduling to lead its very first assembly of the yr on Thursday.
The mayor of Hartford, Luke Bronin, posted a picture of himself up coming to Mr. Williams at the black-tie celebration on Wednesday evening, describing him as entire of electrical power and passion for his function. The event was held at the Bushnell, a carrying out arts venue in Hartford. The Bacon Brothers — a duo consisting of the actor Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael — had been amongst the performers.
“We are all devastated and heartbroken by the information this early morning,” Mr. Bronin said at an additional event on Thursday morning.
The state’s attorney normal, William Tong, claimed in a assertion that he achieved “Q,” as Mr. Williams was acknowledged, when Mr. Williams was an advocate for a nearby faculty in Stamford.
“I can only assume of a single word to describe him — hopeful,” Mr. Tong stated. “Q was usually brimming with optimism and possibility. He experienced a spirit that was relentlessly constructive and aspirational. We need his light-weight extra than ever, and which is why it is so tricky to lose him.”
Mr. Williams is survived by his spouse, Carrissa Williams, explained Mr. Lesser, who was acting as a spokesman for the family members.
Mr. Williams was initial elected in 2019 and had been sworn into workplace on Wednesday for his third time period serving the 100th District, which contains downtown Middletown and Wesleyan College.
He was a lifelong resident of the city and the to start with African American to depict it in Connecticut’s Basic Assembly, according to his biography on the State House Democrats’ internet site.
He bought his begin in group banking in Hartford and then went into nonprofit administration, getting to be govt director of the Middletown Downtown Enterprise District, and then director of advocacy and coverage for Excellence Group Educational facilities, a constitution faculty community, the biography mentioned.
He also co-launched the instructional nonprofit EquityCT, served on the boards of quite a few local groups and taught a leadership study course at the University of Hartford, the biography claimed.
Completely wrong-way driving on highways and turnpikes is significantly lethal for the reason that the influence speed is doubled when two cars and trucks collide at 50 miles for each hour or a lot more.
“The legislation of physics occur into perform,” reported Andrew Gross, a spokesman for the AAA. “We know the car’s means to shield you finishes at 56 miles for every hour and which is jogging into one thing stationary.”
Christine Negroni contributed reporting.
