Nicole Valeria Vargas Gomez has died at 19. The singer is perhaps best known for appearing on Colombia's edition of The Voice Kids seven years ago.
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The Mirror reports that William Andres Paipa, who was 40, also died in the incident. The crash occurred on the Circasia-Armenia road in Quindia, Colombia. Authorities stated both Gomez and Paipa were crossing the street when an unidentified vehicle struck them.
The car threw the two pedestrians into the air, sending them onto the opposite side of the road.
The Search For the Driver Has Begun
Police state that the driver of the vehicle that struck Gomez and Paipa fled the scene without helping them. They are searching for the vehicle and its driver.
A statement read, "A traffic accident occurred involving pedestrians being run over by an unidentified vehicle, affecting two individuals who were crossing the road in the restaurant area at El Solar. At this time, the individuals can be identified as William Andres Paipa and Nicole Valeria Vargas Gomez."
Gomez Continued To Perform After Her Appearance on "The Voice Kids"
Gomez did not reach the final round during her season of The Voice Kids. However, she continued to sing. She was a mainstay at numerous festivals across Colombia.
She was also a student studying Business Administration at the University of Quindo.
"Nicole was a young woman committed to her academic training and to the cultural life of our alma mater," a spokesperson for the university said. "From the classrooms and also from the stages, she left her mark through her discipline, sensitivity, and deep love for art.
"As a member of Coranto [the university's vocal group], she always carried the name of the University of Quindio with honour to every meeting and performance."
Gomez's death comes less than a year after the loss of Karen Silva, a contestant on the Brazilian version of The Voice Kids. Like Gomez, Silva was only 12 when she appeared on the show. She died at 17 after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke.
"Karen enchanted Brazil with her powerful voice and striking presence even in childhood, when she participated in The Voice Kids in 2020," a statement read. "Since then, she has followed a luminous path, uniting talent, charisma, and representation at every step."
