James Crown, billionaire who set goal to make Chicago the 'safest big city in America,' dies at 70

ASPEN, Colo. - James Crown, a local businessman and head of a committee hoping to decrease crime in Chicago, died in a race car crash Sunday.

According to the Pitkin County Coroner's Office, Crown was involved in a single-vehicle accident at the Aspen Motorsports Park in Woody Creek, Colorado.

Multiple reports indicate that Crown was celebrating his 70th birthday at the park when he was involved in the crash.

Crown’s father, financier Lester Crown, said his son "was driving a race car, and it hit a wall going around a curve," the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

"There never was a finer human being in every way," Lester Crown said. "He was the leader of our family both intellectually and emotionally, and he looked out for everybody. He also was a great leader also for the community. It’s just a heartfelt loss. There are no words that can express it."

The coroner's office said the crash has been deemed an accident. The official cause of death is pending autopsy, however, officials say multiple blunt force trauma is evident.

Earlier this month, the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, led by Crown, announced its goal of making Chicago "the Safest Big City in America." The goal is to reduce annual homicides in the city to under 400 within five years.

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Gov. JB Pritzker joined President Joe Biden and many others mourning the sudden death of Crown.

"It's a great loss for all of us, and for me and my family who were friends with him," Pritzker said.

Former President Barack Obama called him "a dear friend" and "a pillar of Chicago."

President Biden praised Crown's anti-violence work in a statement.

"Jim was on the cusp of a new initiative, rallying fellow corporate leaders to commit to hiring people from communities that have been left behind and to be part of the solution to end gun violence. Jim represented America at its best..."

In response to the passing of Crown, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson released the following statement:

"I was devastated to hear of Jim Crown’s tragic passing this weekend. A lifelong Chicagoan, 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. 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. I send my deepest condolences to his wife, four children, grandchildren, and the entire Crown family and pray for their peace."

Forbes Magazine ranked Crown's family as the 34th richest in America.

In the wake of Crown's death, it's not clear who in the business community might fill his role leading his new anti-violence initiative.

Crown is survived by his wife and four children.

Associated Press contributed to this report.