30-05-2025
Worcester teen who died eating spicy chip to be honored with street
A Worcester teenager who died after eating a chip laced with some of the world's spiciest peppers will have a place in the city named after him.
On June 3, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty and the Worcester City Council will unveil Harris Thompson Wolobah Way — which will be located on the corner of Shore Drive and South Frontage Road in front of the Greendale YMCA.
The event will take place at 4 p.m., the mayor's office said in a statement.
Wolobah, then 14, died in 2023 after taking part in the 'One Chip Challenge' by snack company Paqui. The challenge involves eating a chip laced with some of the world's spiciest peppers — Carolina Reapers and Naga Vipe.
After his death, the chip was pulled from shelves.
In 2024, a petition requesting an honorary street was filed and approved by the city council, the mayor's office told MassLive. A sign that designates the location as Harris Thompson Wolobah Way will be at the corner, according to the mayor's office.
'Although many remember him for the way he died, I believe that it is important the community remember the way he lived,' Petty said in a statement. 'Harris was a kind and caring young man from a great family. He loved basketball and he worked tirelessly to improve his skills. The Greendale YMCA was one of his favorite places to be, and this honorary street will ensure that his legacy of hard work, persistence, and kindness is not forgotten.'
Following his death, Wolobah's family filed suit against Paqui in 2023. The case is still ongoing, according to court records.
Wolobah has been honored with a vigil in Newton Square in 2023 and a basketball game in 2024.
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Read the original article on MassLive.
