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Pop Singer Dies In Car Accident

Pop musician Falco died after his Jeep collided with a bus near the north coast town of Puerto Plata, local authorities said Saturday.

Falco was best known for his '80s hits Der Kommissar and Rock Me Amadeus. He was 40.

The Austrian-born singer and musician, whose original name was Johann Holzel, was leaving an entertainment complex and pulling onto the highway between Puerto Plata and Sosua on Friday afternoon, when his Mitsubishi sport-utility vehicle was hit by a small bus.

Falco was taken to the medical center in Puerto Plata, where he died. Authorities said he suffered a severe head injury, and his left leg was broken by the impact. He was alone at the time of the crash, and nobody else was injured. The driver of the bus was being held by police while they continued their investigation.

The pop singer had been vacationing in Puerto Plata, a popular Caribbean vacation spot for many Europeans.

©1998 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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