Cheo Feliciano, Legendary Salsa Singer, Dies In Car Accident At 78

Salsa legend Jose Luis “Cheo” Feliciano died in a car crash Thursday morning in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was 78.

Cheo Feliciano Dies

Feliciano had been driving his Jaguar when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a light pole at 4:13 a.m., according to Puerto Rican police. It has yet to be reported how fast he was traveling at the time of the accident.

No other people were injured in the wreck. Feliciano, who did not like to wear a seatbelt according to his wife Coco, died at the scene.

“Father will live forever because he has given his music, his heart to his people,” Feliciano’s son José Enrique told El Nuevo Día. “Thank God we have his music to remember him by.”

Last year, Feliciano had been diagnosed with cancer and had been receiving treatments with the expectation of going into remission.

The Puerto Rican-born Feliciano had his big break after moving to New York City with his father at the age of 17. Learning from the likes of Machito and Tito Puente, Feliciano went on to perform with Joe Cuba Sextet and the Fania All Stars and launch a successful solo career in the salsa genre. Among his best-known hits were “Anacaona” and “Amada Mia.”

Feliciano is survived by his wife and four sons.

– Chelsea Regan