Young Connecticut legislator killed in fiery car crash after leaving state Capitol
Tori Richards
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A popular Connecticut lawmaker was killed in a head-on collision while returning home from a swearing-in ceremony for his third term in the state’s General Assembly.
Quentin Williams, 39, was described as a rising star with aspirations for higher office when he was struck by someone driving on the wrong side of a highway at 12:48 a.m. Thursday.
Both cars burst into flames and killed the drivers in each.
Williams, a Democrat, was known as “Q” at the state Capitol. His former surname of Phipps was changed this year to honor his mother, Queen, who raised him without a father.
“I was so proud of him and his incredible accomplishments and had so much hope for what he was yet to do,” state Sen. Matthew Lesser (D) 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.”
Lawmakers closed the legislative offices and Capitol until Monday, and flags have been lowered to half-staff.
“This is devastating news, and I am incredibly saddened by this tragedy,” Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said. “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.”
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Williams’s page is still active on the Connecticut legislature site. It states that he was the first African American to represent the city of Middletown, where he grew up and went to college to earn a master’s degree in public administration.
He worked with numerous charities and pushed for excellence in public schools, youth programs, and community housing.
The day before his death, Williams announced a learning opportunity at a local library and asked for feedback as he prepared to tackle the new legislative session.
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“There should be a law…Every so often, I find myself saying, ‘there ought to be a law,’” he wrote on Facebook. “Now is your chance to suggest a bill that the legislature should consider. What are your ideas for what we should be working on at the State Capitol?” Please feel free to email me.”