Willie Colón, who topped the salsa album chart for nearly two decades, was critically injured in a single vehicle crash last week on the Virginia Dare Bridge.
The N.C. Highway Patrol said Colón was driving a motor home and towing another vehicle westbound over the U.S. 64 bridge between Manteo and Manns Harbor last Wednesday afternoon when the RV drifted on to the shoulder, struck the right side guardrail and then the center divider.
Colón was flown to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with multiple injuries, and was scheduled to transported to a New York City hospital for further treatment according to a statement on his Twitter account. His wife, Julia, was treated at The Outer Banks Hospital and released.
He was cited by the Highway Patrol for failure to maintain lane control.
According to 13 News Now, Colón was born in the South Bronx, New York, to Puerto Rican parents and as a teenager signed with Fania Records, a record label that promoted Latin and Salsa music. Colón became a part of the label’s supergroup Fania All-Stars, performing to sellout crowds and creating hit albums.
Colón has also been a political activist, running for office numerous times in New York City and has been a vocal critic of the Venezuelan government.
My dear friends & fans. Sorry I can’t answer your beautiful words of support personally. The news of my being OK, unfortunately, is not true. I have long road to recovery to walk. Thank you for all you have given me through the years. With God’s help I will come back. God bless.
— Willie Colón (@williecolon) April 27, 2021
— Willie Colón (@williecolon) April 25, 2021
This story originally appeared on OBXToday.com. Read More local stories here.
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