May 22, 2008

According to an Associated Press report, the family of contemporary Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman suffered a horrible tragedy Wednesday when 5-year-old daughter Maria was struck and killed by an SUV in her own driveway. Deepening their loss is the fact that the Toyota Land Cruiser was driven by Maria's older teenage brother, who apparently did not see his little sister.

"It looks like a tragic accident," said Laura McPherson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, according to AP. Members of the family reportedly witnessed the accident. The girl was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center, where she died. No charges are expected against the son, who was unnamed in the story.

Maria is one of three daughters Chapman and his wife Mary Beth have adopted from China. The couple has been very active in promoting international adoption, having created a ministerial foundation called Shaohannah's Hope to financially assist couples in the process, the AP reports.

Chapman is a winner of five Grammys and 51 Dove awards.

A thread in our forums has been started for discussion, encouragement, and prayer about this horrible situation. Click here to visit.