Sad Night In Nashville - Steven Curtis Chapman

[CC1]

I just found out that Nashville Gospel music singer Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter was killed in a tragic accident.

Maria, age 5, was run over in the driveway of their rural home by her teenage brother as he was leaving the home.

The Chapman's are big proponents of international adoptions and three of their six children are girls from China, including Maria.

Maria was life flighted by helicopter to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

I can't even imagine what Mr. & Mrs. Chapman are going through right now and especially the teenage brother who accidently ran over his sister.

Let's please remember them all in our prayers.

[LaGirl]

Daughter of gospel star hit, killed by car
Published: 5/21/08, 11:25 PM EDT
By JOE EDWARDS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The 5-year-old daughter of contemporary Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.

The girl, Maria, was hit in a driveway on the family residence Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokesman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

McPherson said no charges are expected.

"It looks like a tragic accident," she said.

She said several members of the Chapman family witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville.

The brother apparently did not see the little girl, McPherson said. She did not have the name or exact age of the brother, only that he is an older teenager.

The girl died later at Vanderbilt Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.

Chapman, originally from Paducah, Ky., and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria.

Chapman has won five Grammy awards and 51 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association.

The singer's Web site said that Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, were persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China. The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.

The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the Web site.

"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing - our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman says on the Web site. "We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world.'"

Chapman also has released a book about being a father entitled "Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess."

[Sister Alvear]

praying for all involved...so tragic...

[Cindy]

It is a tragedy, will be praying for this family.

[Hoovie]

I can't even let my mind go there... this is so sad.

[Kay B]

Praying for all this family.

[Steve Epley]

How sad praying.

[CC1]

Let me head 1Corinth2v4 off at the pass by stating upfront that Steven Curtis Chapman is Church of Christ so don't even ask if you happen across this thread.

[HeavenlyOne]

How sad for this family.

[MawMaw]

So sorry to hear of this heartbreaking news.

Praying for that family.