Middletown State Rep. Williams Killed In Wrong-Way Route 9 Crash

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The Middletown community and beyond is mourning the death of State Rep. Quentin “Q” Williams, who was killed in a fiery wrong-way crash on Route 9 in Cromwell early Thursday morning.

Williams, 39, was a Democrat who represented Middletown in the 100th District. He was one of two drivers killed in the crash. His vehicle was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver, according to Connecticut State Police.

The second driver was identified as 27-year-old Kimede Mustafaj of Manchester, police said in an update on Thursday afternoon.

A vigil honoring Williams’ life was held Friday night on Middletown’s South Green. Hundreds of people attended the vigil, including local supporters along with city and state leaders, according to NBC Connecticut.

Williams was driving his 2015 Infiniti Q60 Journey in the left lane of Route 9 South near the Exit 18 entrance around 12:50 a.m. on Jan. 4, according to police.

Police said Mustafaj was driving her 2014 Toyota Corolla the wrong way in the southbound lane and struck the Infiniti head-on. Williams’ vehicle ended up in the road's left shoulder, fully engulfed in flames, according to police.

Both Williams and Mustafaj were pronounced dead at the scene, and were later positively identified, police said.

Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim said Middletown has lost its "biggest, brightest smile. Rest in peace, Representative Quentin Williams. May his memory be a blessing."

"Rep. Williams truly embodied the phrase larger than life," Florsheim wrote in a post on social media on Thursday. "His laugh, smile, and presence were felt in every space shared with him. His passing is a true loss for our community. A light has been dimmed today. His dedication to fighting for equity, education, worker’s rights, and justice in all its forms is irreplaceable, and while we are heartbroken, the community he loved so much—and where Q was loved so much in return—will continue the fight."

Gov. Ned Lamont has directed that the state flag be lowered to half-staff in honor of Williams. He said state flags should be lowered effective immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined.

“This is devastating news, and I am incredibly saddened by this tragedy,” Lamont said in a statement. “Quentin had an infectiously optimistic personality, and he absolutely loved having the opportunity to represent his lifelong home of Middletown at the State Capitol. Public service was his passion, and he was always advocating on behalf of the people of his hometown. He was a genuine person with a genuine soul, and he will be missed. My prayers are with his family, including his wife Carrissa and his mother Queen, as well as his friends and colleagues in the General Assembly.”

Williams was recently named House Chair of the Labor Committee. He was sworn into office for his third term on Wednesday.

“I am in shock,” Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) said. “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.”

Majority Leader Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford, Manchester) said: “Rep. Williams was an amazing human being. His infectious smile could instantly make a difficult day better. He was an amazing husband, friend and colleague. He loved community and serving others. Truly - a friend to all who knew him. This is a terrible tragedy and a great loss to our state. My heart goes out to his wife, family, and all who loved Q. We will miss him.

Ritter and Senate President Martin Looney canceled legislative meetings on Thursday and closed the Capitol Complex.

State Sen. Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), who is serving as a spokesperson for the Williams family, issued the following statement:

“Q was a beloved friend and his passing even as I write this is still shocking and unfathomable. He and his family have meant so much to the Middletown community and personally to myself and my family. As a legislator he was a passionate and committed public servant whose intellect and warmth made our state a better place and the General Assembly a better place. He was a trailblazer, the first Black state representative ever elected in Middletown. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Carrissa and his mother Queen and his entire family as they manage the unimaginable."

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said: “I met Q before he became a state legislator when he was an advocate for a local school in Stamford, and I can only think of one word to describe him—hopeful. Q was always brimming with optimism and possibility. He had a spirit that was relentlessly positive and aspirational. We need his light more than ever, and that’s why it is so hard to lose him. I offer my deepest condolences to his wife and his family and the community that he loved and served.”

The crash remains under investigation.

Any witness who has information about the accident is asked to contact Trooper Michael Dean with Troop H at 860-534-1000.

See also: Vigil To Honor Life Of State Rep. Quentin ‘Q’ Williams