Teen R&B Singer JaeRene Killed in Crash Caused by Drunk Driver, Cops Say

Steven Visneau
Teen R&B Singer JaeRene Killed in Crash Caused by Drunk Driver, Cops Say

JaeRene was featured as a rising star in CityBook's 2020 Music Issue.

A GOFUNDME set up for the family of R&B singer Jaelyn "JaeRene" Chapman, who was killed in a wrong-way crash on the Westpark Tollway on April 7 after the car she was in was struck by an intoxicated driver, is close to reaching its goal of $35,000.


The donations raised by the fundraiser, opened on behalf of Chapman's mother, Lindsay Locke, will be used to cover any final expenses related to honoring the life of the young singer, who celebrated her 19th birthday in February.

Chapman, who was one of the 11 artists featured in CityBook's music issue last year, released her debut, self-titled album in 2019 and the single "Fallback" in 2020. She was also featured on local radio personality Kiotti's "H-Town For Real" remix in 2019 alongside local recording artists like Paul Wall, Z-Ro and Lil Flip. Since her passing, her team has released new music under the hashtag #jaereneunfinished. "Safe Place (Fall Apart)" is one of the final songs she recorded, and a portion of proceeds from the song will go to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD).

"I would like to see myself at the top of the charts, being a force in the industry," the young singer told CityBook in 2020. "I want to push the message that being young doesn't place any limits on you."

The intoxicated driver said to have caused the wrong-way crash that led to Chapman's death and the injuries of three other passengers who were in the car with Chapman has been identified as a 32-year-old man. Authorities said he has been charged with one count of intoxication manslaughter and three counts of intoxication assault, per news reports.

"At the tender age of 19 years old, JaeRene had already blessed the world with her angelic voice," reads the text on the singer's GoFundMe page, "being recognized across the globe for her melodic tones and impeccable talent at such a young age. Her bubbly and loving personality was infectious and drew people close to her wherever she went."

Art + Entertainment
Meet Brian Boyter, New High-End Residential Broker with an Unique Background

BRIAN BOYTER IS a Houston native with an interesting background in real estate. After an impressive 16-year tenure managing commercial transactions in a Fortune 500 Real Estate Investment Trust, he recently made the shift to high-end residential brokerage. The experience left him uniquely suited to thrive in the sometimes-emotional world of buying or selling a home.

Keep Reading Show less

What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.

Keep Reading Show less

What year was your organization launched? Founded in Houston in 1947, as the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, the organization provided services to individuals with disabilities living in Houston and Harris County. In 1989, the organization changed its name and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of its clientele. Today as Easter Seals Greater Houston, the organization provides multiple outstanding service programs to children, adults, veterans, and service members with all types of disabilities and their families in Harris and sixteen surrounding counties.

Keep Reading Show less