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Connecticut state legislator killed in wrong-way car crash: ‘Shocking and unfathomable’

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Connecticut state legislator killed in wrong-way car crash: ‘Shocking and unfathomable’


CROMWELL, Connecticut — Connecticut state Rep. Quentin Williams was killed in a automotive crash after he was struck by a wrong-way driver, hours after he was sworn in for his third time period on Wednesday, officers mentioned.

Williams, generally known as “Q,” was 39 years previous. The Democrat had served the residents of his hometown of Middletown within the Connecticut State Home since 2019. He was just lately appointed to function co-chair of the legislature’s labor committee.

State Rep. Quentin Williams, D-Middletown, applauds throughout Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s state of the state tackle, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, in Hartford, Conn.

Brian O’Connor/Connecticut Home Democrats by way of AP

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Williams was driving on Route 9 in Cromwell early Thursday when a driver touring the mistaken manner within the lane struck him head-on shortly earlier than 1 a.m., Connecticut State Police mentioned.

His automotive turned absolutely engulfed in flames and he was pronounced lifeless on the scene, police mentioned. Williams was recognized by police as the motive force following an post-mortem.

The incorrect-way driver was additionally pronounced lifeless on the scene, police mentioned. The motive force was recognized by police as Kimede Mustafaj, 27, of Manchester, Connecticut.

Connecticut state legislators expressed shock and dismay over their colleague’s premature loss of life.

“Rep. Williams was a tremendous human being. His infectious smile may immediately make a tough day higher,” Connecticut Home Majority Chief Jason Rojas mentioned in an announcement. “He was a tremendous husband, good friend and colleague. He beloved neighborhood and serving others. Really — a good friend to all who knew him. It is a horrible tragedy and an important loss to our state.”

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State Sen. Matt Lesser known as Williams a “beloved good friend” whose loss of life was “stunning and unfathomable.”

“As a legislator he was a passionate and dedicated public servant whose mind and heat made our state a greater place and the Basic Meeting a greater place,” Lesser mentioned in an announcement.

Williams was additionally a “trailblazer” as the primary Black state consultant ever elected in Middletown, Lesser added.

Connecticut Home Minority Chief Vincent Candelora mentioned Williams was a “younger, rising chief who deftly balanced forward-looking thoughtfulness with ardour and charisma.”

“His tragic passing is a devastating loss for the Basic Meeting, Middletown, and the State of Connecticut,” Candelora mentioned in an announcement.

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State leaders canceled legislative conferences and closed the Capitol Advanced in Hartford on Thursday within the wake of Williams’ loss of life.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont ordered that state flags be lowered to half-staff, efficient instantly, in honor of Williams.

“That is devastating information, and I’m extremely saddened by this tragedy,” Lamont mentioned in an announcement. “Quentin had an infectiously optimistic persona, and he completely beloved having the chance to signify his lifelong dwelling of Middletown on the State Capitol. Public service was his ardour, and he was at all times advocating on behalf of the folks of his hometown. He was a real individual with a real soul, and he shall be missed.”

Williams was the director of advocacy and coverage for Excellence Group Faculties and the co-founder of the training nonprofit EquityCT, in keeping with his biography on the State Home Democrats’ web site.

Williams is survived by his spouse, Carrissa Williams. Info on providers shall be obtainable within the coming days, state officers mentioned.

Copyright © 2023 ABC Information Web Ventures.

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Connecticut

Connecticut Mourning Loss Of Respected State Police Dog Drago

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Connecticut Mourning Loss Of Respected State Police Dog Drago


TOLLAND, CT — Connecticut Friday was mourning the loss of celebrated and respected state police dog Drago.

Drago worked with veteran trooper and handler Kyle Kaelberer while stationed out of Troop C in Tolland County. The black shepherd had a distinctive floppy ear, which made him very photogenic and popular with children at promotional events.

State police said he died on July 4 from “medical complications.” He had battled stomach ailments in the past.

Kaelberer and Drago were graduates of the Connecticut State Police 201st Patrol K-9 Class, as well as the 219th Narcotics Detection K-9 Class. They also served together as “highly respected” members of the State Police Tactical Unit, state police said.

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“The Connecticut State Police regrets to announce the passing of K-9 Drago. During his career, Drago successfully located countless wanted suspects, missing persons, as well as a large quantity of illicit narcotics,” state police said. “K-9 Drago was a beloved member of Troop C, and made an immeasurable impact on the safety of the citizens of Tolland County, the State of Connecticut, and the Connecticut State Police as a whole.”

Drago certainly had his successes.

For example, just this past January, he and Kaelberer nabbed a suspect in a murder “intent” case out of Massachusetts. The Webster Police Department in Massachusetts contacted Connecticut State Police about a vehicle they had attempted to stop in their town that had eventually crashed at exit 53 on Interstate 395 in the town of Thompson in Connecticut.

The driver fled on foot after the crash, and Drago and Kaelberer were called in to assist. They began a track in a thickly wooded area and Drago located the suspect, who was taken into custody after a brief struggle, state police said. It was later determined that the suspect had not only engaged the Webster Police in a pursuit, but in a stolen vehicle.

The suspect also had a nationwide extraditable warrant for assault with intent to murder and numerous firearm charges out of Worcester, MA, police said.

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In October 2023, a 50-year-old Iowa man who eluded authorities for about 12 hours after crashing a car on Interstate 84 in Tolland was eventually corralled by Drago.

The man was in a stolen 2010 Infinity EX35, traveling west on I-84, about a half mile shy of Exit 68. He suddenly lost control of the vehicle and slammed into the center median, according to a crash report. The car was bearing registration plates out of North Carolina, state police said.

The man fled the vehicle on foot after the crash and crossed the eastbound lanes of I-84 in the process, according to a crash report. State police then set up a perimeter in the area and police dog Drago was called in to track him. Drago located and detained him in a wooded area.

In August 2022, a driver told Kaelberer that “your dog is wrong,” after Drago altered him to the presence of drugs at a traffic stop on I-84 in Tolland.

Drago, of course, was not wrong and troopers located 14 grams of fentanyl and 1.5 grams of crack cocaine in a subsequent search, according to an arrest report.

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In February 2021, Troop C received 911 calls about people attempting to steal vehicles in the area of Kozley Road and Williams Way in Tolland. The second caller had interrupted the burglary in his garage and the would-be thief pulled out a gun as he approached the group, according to an arrest report.

The man was able to get a description of the getaway car before the men fled the property, which wound up being a stolen Acura RDX out of Newington, according to an arrest report.

Kaelberer saw the Acura traveling south on Old Stafford Road in Tolland, and, as he and Drago turned around to follow the vehicle, which was traveling at a high rate of speed through the intersection of Old Stafford and Dunn Hill roads and then south onto Tolland Green, the car slammed head-on into another state police cruiser, which was headed north with its lights activated, according to a state police report.

Five people exited the Acura and then fled on foot, state police said. Kaelberer and Drago, chased the 19-year-old driver on foot, and he was apprehended by Drago and was arrested at the scene.



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CT Trespasser Found Hiding Behind Washing Machine In Basement

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CT Trespasser Found Hiding Behind Washing Machine In Basement


THOMPSON, CT — A Connecticut man is facing several charges after being accused of walking through several backyards before climbing into a basement window and hiding behind a washing machine in someone’s home Thursday, according to state police.

Police said they received the report just before 11:40 a.m., after which officers responded with police dogs who led them to a home on Brandy Hill in Thompson.

The suspect, 36-year-old Christopher Sargent, was found hiding in a small room behind a washing machine, according to police.

Find out what’s happening in Across Connecticutwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After Sargent surrendered, police found that he also was in posession of narcotics and had an active arrest warrant from a May incident in Putnam.

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Foe Thursday’s incident, Sargent is charged with third-degree burglary, interfering with police, posession of a controlled substance, and is additionally charged with first-degree criminal trespass, sixth-degree larceny, and second-degree breach of peace under the active warrant.

Find out what’s happening in Across Connecticutwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He was later released from custody on a $7,500 in bond and is scheduled to appear at Danielson Superior Court on July 18.


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To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.



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Urgent Care Facility Among Businesses Recently Registered In Westport

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Urgent Care Facility Among Businesses Recently Registered In Westport


WESTPORT, CT — An urgent care facility, a photography studio and a camper manufacturer are among the new businesses recently registering with the State of Connecticut to hang out a shingle in Westport.

Here is a list of businesses that were formed in Westport from May 24 through June 27, 2024. The data is from the Connecticut Business Registry, maintained by the Secretary of the State, Business Services Division.



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