HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut state representative was killed overnight when a wrong-way driver crashed head-on into his vehicle as he was returning home from the governor’s inauguration ball. The other driver also died.

Quentin Williams was a 39-year-old Democrat from Middletown known as “Q” and considered a rising political star.

State police say the crash happened early Thursday morning on Route 9 in Cromwell, only hours after he was sworn in to a third term.

He was just named co-chairman of the General Assembly’s Labor and Public Employees Committee.

His death came as a huge shock to state officials, who expressed sadness and grief Thursday.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The other driver was identified as a 27-year-old woman.