Comedian Tony Baker’s 21-year-old son, Cerain Anthony Raekwon Baker, was killed in a car accident along with his two friends in Burbank, California, on August 2. Twenty-year-old Jaiden Johnson and 19-year-old Natalee Moghaddam were also in the vehicle with the young man. CBSLA reported that they were innocent victims of street car racing.
The car accident occurred just before midnight at the intersection of Andover Drive and Glen Oaks Boulevard. Law enforcement officials said that surveillance video recorded a Mercedes and Kia street racing before the accident occurred.
One of the racing cars hit the Volkswagen Cerain, and his friends were riding in as it made a left turn. The Volkswagen caught on fire and was split into several pieces, killing Baker, Johnson and Moghaddam. A fourth person was rushed to the hospital and is still in serious condition.
Witnesses said that one person was ejected from the Volkswagen. Michael Weston lives near the crash-site and said that if took 15-20 minutes for officials to find one of the victims.
“They didn’t find the boy’s body in the trees for at least 15 to 20 minutes,” said Weston.
Tony Baker posted a statement on Instagram after his son’s death, saying his family was heartbroken. He also gave condolences to the Johnson and Moghaddam families.
“Myself and My Family are overwhelmed with the love and care from friends, fans and complete strangers. I FEEL the love. I see the text messages and some of the DM’s and just want you all to know that it’s appreciated. I know i am not alone and we are blessed to have soo many people to lean on, cling to and call. I loved that boy sooo much. My heart goes out to Jaiden & Natalee’s families as well. For those that were at the Vigil on Wednesday nite, you know that i was howling crying one minute, then crackin jokes the next. Thank You All. And I ‘m soo sorry that yal are sad too.”
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Burbank police Sgt. Emil Brimway said that the accident was preventable. She noted that the Mercedes and Kia were racing for several blocks at a “very high rate of speed.”
“It’s a very sad, sad day for multiple families,”she said. “We have three lost individuals who have passed for something that was absolutely preventable.”
The person driving the Mercedes was questioned at the scene along with the passenger. The driver and passenger were released at the scene. The police have yet to make an arrest.
Our prayers go out to the families.
