Earlier than James Crown, a member of the household that owns Aspen Snowboarding Co., crashed his automobile at a Woody Creek racetrack, the brakes locked up, the automobile skidded right into a curve and smashed right into a barricade of tires protecting a concrete barrier, a racetrack worker instructed investigators.
Crown, 70, died on the Aspen Motorsports Park on June 25. He was celebrating his birthday with members of his household on the observe, in response to a report launched by the Pitkin County Sheriff’s division this week.
The Aspen Occasions first reported on the discharge of the report.
Crown doubtless died from blunt pressure trauma, chief deputy coroner Audra Keith stated in a information launch the day of the crash. The coroner’s workplace stated Friday that the investigation is ongoing.
Crown, a Chicago billionaire businessman, was a part-time resident of Pitkin County. He was CEO of Henry Crown and Firm, which owns the Aspen Snowboarding Co. He was a longtime board member for JPMorgan Chase and directed the board of Common Dynamics, a worldwide aerospace and protection firm.
Underneath President Barack Obama, Crown served as a member of the president’s intelligence advisory board. He additionally was chairman of the Aspen Institute, which hosts an concepts pageant every summer time.
The day of the crash, Crown was driving a Spec Racer with Toyota MR-2 engine rated at 165 horsepower, in response to Matthew Kennedy, a racetrack worker and driving teacher interviewed by investigators. He instructed sheriff’s investigators that Crown, who had pushed on the observe earlier than, was by himself and racing in opposition to the clock when the crash occurred.
Crown locked up the automobile’s brakes on the final straightaway, skidded into the curve, ran by way of a gravel mattress and hit the barricade of tires, dislodging the concrete barrier beneath, Kennedy stated. He instructed investigators that he jumped right into a truck, drove to the automobile and eliminated Crown’s helmet when he received there. Crown was bleeding from the top and neck, Kennedy stated.
Crown’s son-in-law, Matthew McKinney, instructed investigators that he drove the automobile Crown was in earlier within the day and that it dealt with usually, though the brakes had been stiff and needed to be pressed firmly.
After getting a name concerning the crash, Sheriff Sgt. Dustin Grey of the sheriff’s division arrived at 2:31 p.m. He stated the race automobile was about 15 ft from the concrete barrier and was extensively broken within the entrance. 4 folks, together with two of Crown’s daughters, had been on the automobile, making an attempt to assist, Grey stated.
Medics responded they usually and sheriff’s personnel took turns making an attempt to resuscitate Crown, Grey stated. After some time, and after consulting with an emergency-room physician, the medics pronounced Crown useless.
Folks with Crown stated he had been driving laps earlier within the day, was in good spirits and appeared properly. McKinney stated there have been no points with the automobile’s steering, dealing with or brakes when he drove it earlier that day.
Nonetheless, McKinney talked about that the brakes had been stiff. He stated the racetrack workers instructed him the automobile had simply gotten new brakes.
Aspen Motorsports Park didn’t return a request for remark.
Earlier than he crashed, Crown was “driving very quick down the again straightaway,” in response to the report. A sheriff’s spokesman stated Friday that details about the velocity wasn’t accessible.