What you need to know
Colombian influencer María José Calderon died in a motorcycle accident on Thursday, December 18th. She was 23 years old.
Just before noon local time, a content creator riding his motorcycle on a busy road in the Colombian city of Medellin collided with the back of a truck that had suddenly stopped to allow pedestrians to cross, local newspapers El Tiempo and El Colombiano reported, citing the Medellin Mobility Secretariat.
The internet personality, who used the username “lamayits” and had more than 50,000 followers combined on her Instagram and TikTok accounts, was known for sharing lifestyle content.
Maria Jose Calderon/Instagram
Hours after her death was publicly reported, Calderon’s close friend and well-known streamer Westcol spoke candidly about his reaction to the tragic news on a Twitch livestream.
“About two hours ago, someone very close to us died in a traffic accident,” the author said in Spanish. “You have no idea what this December was like. I don’t know why so many tragedies happened this December. And December shouldn’t be a season like this. It’s supposed to be about positivity and love. And we received some very difficult news. I’m not going to talk about this, because there’s pain that you all have to go through.”
In addition to content creation, Calderon was also known within the community for urban rhythm dancing and boxing. Her dance studio, Fénix Academia de Tecnicas Aereas, remembered her in a statement in Spanish for her “pure expressiveness, unexpected laughter, intense gaze, and a kind of beautiful madness that did not ask for permission to exist.”
Maria Jose Calderon/Instagram
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“She loved the world with honesty and boundless devotion, but she also had a very human and very personal desire to be deeply and truly loved,” the statement continued.
“Even when everything was in turmoil, she left behind feelings, questions, creative sparks, heartfelt embraces, and the unique presence she had. Her energy continues to vibrate in the Academy, in everyone who allows themselves to be authentic, in every move to feel more deeply.”
