‘She was our rock': Son of woman killed in Aurora crash shares message on speeding
AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — The family of a mother and teacher killed in a high-speed crash is sharing her story, urging drivers to slow down as the deadliest season for crashes begins.
On May 18, 2025, a four-vehicle crash shut down Quincy Avenue in Aurora. Police say a Ford Mustang was speeding westbound when it slammed into an Infiniti SUV turning left.
Witness describes scene of deadly Aurora 4-vehicle crash
The driver of the Infiniti, Alta Marie Liebhilde Chapin, died at the scene. Her son told FOX31 the Mustang may have been going more than 100 mph in a 40 mph zone.
'It's terrifying to know that sometimes decisions that are being taken can be so I guess…selfish, and … impacting to others,' said her son, Austin Chapin.
Just days before the crash, Chapin and her husband had celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary.
'Our mom was kind of our glue, our rock,' Austin said. 'She was born and raised here in Colorado, and then she taught at Jewell Elementary in the Aurora Public School District for about 32 years. Actually, her and my father had just celebrated their anniversary of 32 years as well, the past weekend whenever she passed away.'
Her son described her as kindhearted and generous, not only with her students but with animals, too.
'She certainly made an impact there at Jewell Elementary, so much to the extent that where she got her first dog was someone that drove by the school and dumped a dog out of the car,' Austin said. 'And she immediately went saving the dog, brought them home and that was our first family dog.'
3 killed in crash on westbound I-70 in New Castle Tuesday: coroner
Aurora police say this marks the city's 12th traffic fatality so far this year. Safety experts warn that summer is the most dangerous season for driving due to an uptick in crashes.
Austin hopes drivers remember his mother's story before making risky decisions behind the wheel.
'The crash that my mother passed away from is still under investigation, but there was a very high-speeding car that is estimated to be going over 100 mph in a 40 mph street, and right in front of a school zone as well,' he said. 'My mom had two things that she really looked forward to in life and were her goals in life, and one was to have kids… and the second one was to be a grandmother to my sisters' and I's kids. That is something we will not be able to experience… nor will she, so it breaks my heart that sometimes careless decision to be speeding somewhere, can impact someone so tremendously.'
The crash remains under investigation by Aurora police.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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