Ghanaian killed in Crash in Connecticut

Two Worcester residents, including the single mother of a 4-year-old boy, died over the weekend in a one-car crash on Interstate 84 in Union, Conn., according to a news release from Connecticut State Police.

Willis Nanka-Bruce, 31, of 63 Frank St., Apt. 80, and Chaveli G. Baker, 19, of 29 Laurel St., Apt. 13, were both in the back seat of a 2005 Cadillac on Saturday, when the vehicle spun out of control and flipped several times, according to reports. Ms. Baker was wearing a seat belt, according to Connecticut State Police, but it is unknown if Mr. Nanka-Bruce was using a seat belt.

The accident occurred about 3:20 a.m. Mr. Nanka-Bruce was ejected from the car and died of head injuries, state police said. Ms. Baker also died from head injuries, according to reports.

Two other Worcester residents were in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Reports list the driver as Theophilus Asare, 26, of 25 Eastham St., and the front-seat passenger as Madeline J. Chalas-bher, 21, of 15 Rodney St. Both were wearing seat belts, and the front airbags deployed, according to the police report. They were treated for minor injuries, according to authorities.

Ms. Baker’s family gathered yesterday to mourn the 19-year-old single mother at her Plumley Village apartment. Candles and a photo were on display outside the building.

“We’ll remember her as a good mother and a good friend,” said her cousin Yadira Gonzalez.

Born and raised in Worcester, Ms. Baker was planning to graduate from Burncoat High School this year, and had gotten into a program for young mothers, Ms. Gonzalez said. She planned to get her own apartment, and wanted to attend Rob Roy Academy to become a hairstylist.

“She was always braiding hair for the kids around the neighborhood,” Ms. Gonzalez said.

She had an older brother and a younger one, and lived with her mother and her 4-year-old son, Alfredo. Ms. Baker’s father lives in the Dominican Republic.

“They were very close,” Ms. Gonzalez said. Alfredo is being taken care of by relatives.

Ms. Baker had a lot of friends and relatives, and was very outgoing.

“You could say she had a little bit of everything,” Ms. Gonzalez said.

A woman who answered the door at Mr. Nanka-Bruce’s apartment yesterday said she was his wife and requested privacy.