Billionaire James Crown Dies In One-Car Crash At Colorado Racetrack

CHICAGO — A billionaire heir of one of the Chicago area's wealthiest families died Sunday on his 70th birthday in a car crash at a Colorado racetrack.

James S. "Jim" Crown died on a single-car crash at the Aspen Motorsports Park, a members-only club in Woody Creek, according to the local sheriff and coroner's office.

"The Crown family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Jim Crown in an accident earlier today," the family said in a statement Sunday. "The family requests that their privacy be respected at this difficult time."

Crown, a North Shore native and lifelong Chicago area resident, was the chairman emeritus of the Aspen Institute, managing partner of Aspen Skiing Co. and a part-time Colorado resident.

Remembered for his philanthropy and civic leadership, Crown was the grandson of Chicago industrialist Henry Crown, who turned a sand and gravel fortune into a major stake in General Dynamics.

In addition to his role as chairman and CEO of the family business, Henry Crown & Co., Crown was the lead director of the arms manufacturer, the longest-serving board member at JPMorgan Chase, as well as a trustee at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Civic Committee and University of Chicago.

Crown was elected vice president of the student council at New Trier East High School, studied political science at Hampshire College in Massachusetts and got a law degree from Stanford University's law school.

The Crown family had a net worth of $10.2 billion in 2020, according to Forbes, which at the time estimated it to be the 34th richest family in the world.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he was devastated to learn of Crown's death and, in a statement, sent his condolences to his family.

"Jim gave back to the city through philanthropy and leadership on a number of civic and academic boards as he was deeply committed to investing in Chicago and its people," Johnson said. "With his generosity, Jim truly embodied the soul of Chicago. I was especially grateful for his commitment to work collaboratively with my administration to build a safer Chicago, having met recently to share ideas."

In recent weeks, Crown had announced plans to reduce the number of murders in Chicago with a jobs program aimed at young men in high-crimes areas through the Commercial Club of Chicago, where he was a member and chaired a public safety task force.

"Jim embodied the very best qualities of Chicago’s business and civic leadership: generous, wise, thoughtful, and committed," club representatives said in a statement in response to his death. "Over the years he and his family have contributed in countless ways to the region’s economic and civic health and vitality. Jim most recently chaired our Public Safety Task Force to help shape a role for the business community in addressing gun violence."

Crown was friends with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and First Lady M.K. Pritzker, who were saddened to learn of his death, according to a statement from the governor.

"Tremendously civic-minded, Jim was kind, and his passion for caring was unending," Pritzker said. "Our hearts are with his family, friends, and the countless Illinoisans and Americans he helped. May his memory be a blessing."

According to a release from the Pitkin County Coroner's Office, the fatal crash is being investigated in coordination with the local sheriff's office and the Colorado State Patrol. Although the investigation is ongoing, it said the manner of death had been determined to be accidental.

"James Crown was involved in a single vehicle accident at the Aspen Motorsports Park in Woody Creek when he failed to navigate a turn resulting in a collision with an impact barrier," it said. "The official cause of death is pending autopsy although [multiple] blunt force trauma is evident."