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
Thrive & Inspire: Alchemy’s Arquella Hargrove ‘Inspired by People Making an Impact in the World’

Arquella Hargrove, Chief Culture Officer and Owner of the Alchemy Consulting Group

WHAT IS THE secret to running a successful business? The secret to a successful business is a rockstar team. With a rockstar team, clients experience the transformation within their culture. This also is connected to other success factors — a commitment to relentless change, communicating courageously, and collaborating to win. The ultimate goal is to be the change for our clients and to create a culture where team members thrive and grow exponentially.

Keep Reading Show less

Boozy slushees and the double smashburger, exclusive to Loro's new Kirby location

JUST IN TIME for patio season, a brother location to Houston’s original Loro Heights from Hai Hospitality and Franklin BBQ will bow Sept. 28. Loro is an approachable concept in the Hai Hospitality family that is also home to the award-winning restaurants Uchi, Uchiko, Uchibā and Oheya.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Kat Pressly and Reagan Bregman

FORMER ASTROS PITCHER and current coach Joe Smith, along with his sportscaster wife Allie LaForce, hosted a gala at Minute Maid Park's Union Station in an effort to raise funds and awareness of Huntington’s Disease, which took the life of Smith’s mother in 2020.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places