One month ago, April 20, 2008, singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman was inducted into the Music City Walk Of Fame in Nashville, TN. Today, one month later, May 21, 2008 tragedy hits the Chapman family.

The Nashville Tennessean reported:

Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.

Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.

The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.”

Many years ago I was in the Chapman home, producing a story for “The 700 Club”. Having been in the presence of many entertainers and stars, I was immediately amazed at the humility and warmth of Steven and Mary Beth. Their love for each other and for their family led to their adoption of three children from China. Maria was the youngest.

[Read more →]