José "Cheo" Feliciano, one of the biggest exponents of salsa and bolero music, died on Wednesday in Puerto Rico in a car crash, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
According to first reports from Fox Latino, the Puerto Rican singer had lost control of his vehicle, a Jaguar, and crashed against a lamp post at aound 4:13 a.m. on Wednesday on PR-176, close to Metropolitan University, Puerto Rico police reported.
The same source details that for the moment there are no reports that Feliciano had been drinking before the accident; however, the possibility is not dismissed.
After the news broke, Alejandro García Padilla, Governor of Puerto Rico declared three days of national mourning over the singer's death, one of the greatest artists from Latin America.
"Puerto Rico loses one of its greatest voices with the sad news of the death of singer Cheo Feliciano. Wilma and I join the pain of his wife Coco, their children and the artistic class. We pray for them to be consoled and be strong during this process. Rest in peace, Cheo Feliciano," said the governor, quoted by CNN.
Investigators have declared that for the moment there is no indication that another vehicle was involved in the accident, and detailed that the singer was not wearing his seatbelt, fact which was determinant for him to lose his life in the crash.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Feliciano began his career as a professional musician in the city of New York during th 1950's as a percussionist and played for various orchestra directors such as Tito Rodríguez and Luis Cruz, according to Fox.
The long and successful career of the musician was tarnished during the 60's by his addictions, which he was able to overcome and in the 70's he recorded various albums and was a notable promoter of the fight against drugs.
José Cheo Feliciano was 78 years old at the time of his death.
Video via Noticias Hoy
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