Three Dead, Two Children, After Fatal Connecticut Crash

By Rich Scinto, Patch Editor

The Meriden community is reeling and trying to help a family after two children and an adult were killed after a tractor trailer truck collided with a vehicle carrying four people on Interstate-95 in Waterford Sunday.

Youngest victim Dacari Robinson, 3, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred around 9:30 p.m. at exit 82 on I-95 southbound, according to Fox CT. He was reportedly in a child seat.

Three others were rushed to the hospital; Sanaa Reynolds, 9, who is Dacari’s half-brother, Baughnita Leary, 25, who is the mother of both children, and Darin Robinson, 26, who is the father of Dacari. All are Meriden residents, who were returning from New London for Sanaa’s birthday, which was on Sunday, according to the Record-Journal.

“Sanaa’s 9th birthday was Sunday, and family & friends are mourning the loss of these beautiful children & young man,” wrote Lisa Martin, a friend of Leary who started a GoFundMe campaign for the family “Please help contribute to the survivor Benaughita Leary and family in this time of need.”

Sanaa was pronounced deceased Tuesday morning and Robinson was pronounced dead Wednesday morning, according to Yale-New Haven Hospital officials. Leary was released from the hospital earlier this week.

State police are investigating the accident, which could take weeks, according to the Record-Journal.

A Gold Medal Bakery truck crashed into three other vehicles, while traffic was slowed for another accident around 7 p.m., according to NBC Connecticut. Three other occupants from other vehicles were also injured.

Martin’s campaign has brought in more than $9,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.

A separate GoFundMe campaign was started to help cover Darin Robinson’s funeral expenses.

“The Robinson family is heartbroken and needs help to give Darin the funeral he deserves,” wrote campaign organizer Marcus Robinson. “Any donation is greatly appreciated.”