Chicago philanthropist and businessman James Crown dies in tragic racetrack accident.

James Crown, a scion of one of Chicago's wealthiest and most philanthropic families, died on his 70th birthday after a vehicle he was in crashed into an impact barrier at the Aspen Motorsports Park in Woody Creek, Colorado. Crown held key roles with venerable institutions such as the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry, and was often at the center of conversations over the city's political, business and civic issues. He was the CEO and chairman of Henry Crown & Co., and was the largest insider owner of JPMorgan Chase & Co. with a $1.72 billion stake. Crown was a major supporter of Barack Obama's presidential run and was a longtime University of Chicago trustee who chaired the board for six years.