Maria Chapman

Steven Curtis Chapman's five-year-old adopted daughter, Maria Sue Chapman, was hit and killed by her teenage brother, Will Chapman, in the family's driveway. Maria was reportedly playing with other children at the time.

The teen, whose name wasn't immediately released, was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser and apparently didn't see Maria.

Maria was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Medical Center where she later died. A memorial service was held on May 24, 2008. The brother involved in the accident was visibly upset and sobbing. He wore a pink scarf from Maria throughout the service.

Fast Facts

1. No charges expected
2. Several family members witnessed accident
3. Youngest of six Chapman children
4. One of three Chapmans adopted from China
5. Family discussed incident for first time on Good Morning America

Steven Curtis Chapman

Steven Curtis Chapman is a missionary, author and contemporary Christian musician.

Chapman and his wife Mary Beth Chapman started the charity Shaohannah's Hope in an effort to financially assist couples in adoption.

Good Morning America Quotes

1. "And [Will] is so great with the girls. They just love him. And she was running to see him and, you know, ran, you know, into the path of the car."—Mary Beth Chapman
2. "We have talked a lot. And you will hear all of us talk about the process of grieving with hope. That's what has kept us breathing, kept us alive is that while we are grieving this process, there is a hope that we have that we're anchored to in the midst of just what sometimes seems unbearable."—Steven Curtis Chapman
3. "I've gotten str-- a stronger faith through all this, you know, and more faith through all this. But then there's those days, you know, that just hit you and you're just, like, 'Oh, man, this is just awful.' But-- you just gotta continue to choose to live. And that's the faith that, that continues to keep me going, you know."—Will Chapman

Categories