Steven Curtis Chapman’s daughter struck by car, killed at family celebration

The youngest daughter of Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was killed yesterday when her brother accidentally struck her in his sports utility vehicle, according to the singer’s Web site.

The Chapman family was gathered at their Williamson County home to celebrate the engagement of Chapman’s daughter and his son’s high school graduation when 5-year-old Maria Sue Chapman, who recently had a birthday, was hit by her older brother, the Web site said. The girl was airlifted to Vanderbilt Medical Center, where she died.

The family has set up a memorial Web site for Maria at chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria.

Maria was one of three young girls adopted by the Chapman family from China as part of a ministry called Shaohannah’s Hope. In lieu of flowers, the family asks gifts be sent to the ministry, which was founded by Chapman and his wife MaryBeth.

Chapman is one of the most successful Christian musicians of all time, having won five Grammy Awards and sold over 10 million records.

Exact details of the accident, including the name of the son who was driving the vehicle that struck Maria have not been released.