Connecticut State Representative Quentin Williams of Middletown was killed in a car crash Thursday (Jan. 5) morning, only 24 hours after he was sworn in for his third term in office.

According to the Associated Press, Williams died when a wrong-way driver crashed head-on into his vehicle on Route 9 in Cromwell, Connecticut. The 39-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the other car, 27-year-old Kimede Mustafaj of Manchester, also died.

State Sen. Matthew Lesser, D-Middletown, told The Associated Press, “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. So it’s just, it’s just gut-wrenching.” Williams was recently named the General Assembly’s Labor and Public Employees Committee co-chairman and had aspirations for higher office.

The Middletown, Conn. native who previously served as the city’s treasurer, was first elected in 2019. According to his biography, he was also the first African American to represent Middletown in the Connecticut General Assembly. 

Governor Ned Lamont ordered state flags to be at half-staff and 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.”

Quentin Williams is survived by his wife, Carrissa Williams.