Juanita Coco

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Juanita Suzanne Coco (10 December 1975 – 2 May 1993) was an Australian singer and actress best known for her role on the popular talent/variety show Young Talent Time in the late 1980s. She appeared on the show from 1987 to 1988, aged 13, and was best known for her rendition of the song 'La Bamba'.

After she left Young Talent Time, Coco faded into obscurity until her tragic death several years later.

[edit] Death

On May 2, 1993, Juanita Coco attended a party with her boyfriend. Late in the evening she got into a VL series Holden Commodore driven by a female friend, accompanied by her boyfriend and his best friend Brad Lacy.

As the vehicle travelled along Malvern Road, Malvern, it ran a red traffic light and was broadsided by another vehicle travelling at high speed. Sitting in the back seat, Juanita and Brad Lacy were killed instantly when their heads collided due to the force of the impact. The driver and Juanita's boyfriend survived with serious injuries. Juanita was 17 when she died.

The subsequent investigation found that the driver of the Commodore was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, unknown to Juanita and the other occupants. Manslaughter charges were later dropped in court.

[edit] Legacy

Juanita's mother Jenny Coco continues her daughter's legacy by being an advocate for road safety, and speaks often to school children about taking care on the roads.