Authorities in Colorado say a renowned Chicago billionaire was killed in a car incident on Sunday (25 June). James Crown, a businessman and philanthropist from Chicago’s affluent Crown family, sustained blunt force trauma after colliding with an impact barrier at Aspen Motorsports Park in Woody Creek, according to a news release from the Pitkin County Coroner’s Office.
The coroner’s office is still conducting an investigation to determine Crown’s cause of death. Crown, who owned, among other businesses, the Aspen Skiing Company, was 70 years old at the time of his demise. The coroner in Pitkin County, where Crown resided part-time in addition to Chicago, declared that the fatal collision was an accident.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson released a statement in response to the news of Crown’s demise, telling the station that he was “devastated” to hear about the accident.
Johnson said in the statement –
“A lifelong Chicagoan, Jim gave back to the city through philanthropy and leadership on a number of civic and academic boards as he was deeply committed to investing in Chicago and its people.”
“With his generosity, Jim truly embodied the soul of Chicago. I was especially grateful for his commitment to work collaboratively with my administration to build a safer Chicago, having met recently to share ideas. I send my deepest condolences to his wife, four children, grandchildren, and the entire Crown family and pray for their peace.”
Crown was a member of the Civic Committee of the Chicago Commercial Club, a non-profit community organization. Working with local organizations and leaders, he recently helped launch an initiative with the Civic Committee that intended to raise tens of millions of dollars over the next several years to help reduce crime in Chicago.
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Crown stated earlier this month that the new initiative seeks to enhance citywide safety. Crown and his wife had recently attended a White House state banquet, and President Biden said in a statement Monday that “Jim represented America at its best — industrious, big-hearted, and always looking out for each other. He was a good man, a dear friend, and a great American.”
James Crown’s passing is a tragic loss for his family, friends, and the numerous beneficiaries of his philanthropy. He will be remembered as a prosperous entrepreneur, a generous philanthropist, and a devoted family man.
