Democratic State Lawmaker Dies in Crash After Attending His Own Swearing-in Ceremony

A woman driving north in a highway’s southbound lane collided head on with another car, killing herself and the other driver.

Connecticut state Rep. Quentin Willams, 39, was returning home from Gov. Ned Lamont’s inaugural ball just after midnight Thursday, according to a Middletown Press report.

Kimede Mustafaj, 27, was driving north in a southbound lane of Route 9. She hit the state representative’s 2015 Infiniti Q60 head on with her 2014 Toyota Corolla, police said. She was driving the wrong direction when the accident occurred on Route 9 in the Town of Cromwell, State Trooper Michael Dean noted in a report.

The newly reelected state lawmaker’s car became engulfed in flames and ended up in the left shoulder, the trooper remarked in the accident report. Dean added Mustafaj’s car “came to an uncontrolled final rest in the grass center median.”

Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene, police said, adding they were later identified. Their next of kin were notified and both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Williams represented residents of Middletown in the 100th District, which includes the Downtown, North End, South Fire District, Wesleyan Hills and Wesleyan University areas.

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin posted a photo of himself next to Williams at the Wednesday night inaugural. Mayor Bronin described Williams as energetic and full of passion for his work. The event was conducted at the Bushnell, a Hartford performing arts venue. The Bacon Brothers, consisting of actor Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael, performed at the event, according to a New York Times report.

The lawmaker is survived by his mother Queen and wife Carissa, noted the Middletown Press report.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz (D-CT) said in a Thursday Twitter post that Williams exuded positivity and happiness.

“His dazzling smile would light up a room, and his optimism was infectious,” Bysiewicz continued. “He will be missed not only by the people of Middletown, but by leaders beyond our borders and all of his colleagues in CT.”

Mustafaj, who apparently preferred using her middle name Katie, was a quality control inspector at New England Airfoil Products, according to her LinkedIn profile. The company is a North American source for military and civil jet engine and gas turbine airfoils.