Academia Alemana Popayán confirmed Valencia's death and expressed condolences to his family in an official statement. The fatal crash occurred on September 7 in Guachené, near Cali, during a vacation period. Local reports say a tanker struck multiple vehicles, including the car carrying Valencia, with the precise dynamics still being determined. Media in Colombia report he was expected to sign with the New York Red Bulls and begin a professional pathway in Major League Soccer. He had impressed at the Bulls Cup Under-16 tournament earlier this year and was being monitored by Colombia's Under-17 setup for 2026.
