As the first anniversary of a deadly Lake Travis crash approaches, the family of 34-year-old Stanley Chun is pleading with Austinites to take drunk-driving warnings to heart. Chun was killed on June 14, 2025, in a head-on collision on a winding stretch of RM 2769 while driving home from dinner with his wife, their toddler, and his parents. Loved ones say the sudden loss has left them wrestling with crushing grief while trying to shield his young son, Harper, from growing up without his dad.
Crash details
The June 14 collision was a two-vehicle, head-on crash on RM 2769 that claimed Chun's life and injured four other family members, according to Vision Zero ATX. Emergency crews reported that one person was pinned in a vehicle and had to be extricated, and local records indicate the wreck happened just after 9 p.m.
Court status
Court filings list the other driver as Jonathan Medellin Hopper of Houston, who faces six charges, including intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to Fox 7 Austin. At a recent pre-trial hearing, a judge ordered Hopper to keep using alcohol-monitoring devices and set additional proceedings in the case.
Family reaction and next steps
Maria, Chun's widow, described the emotional fallout in an interview with Fox 7 Austin, saying, "I feel like it's isolating. Grief is very isolating." She and Stanley's mother, Jean, say they want accountability and note that the next court hearing is scheduled for July 13. The family emphasizes that they are not just watching a legal process unfold; they are hoping for a sentence that matches the scale of their loss.
Remembering Stanley
Obituary information lists Chun as survived by his wife Maria, their son Harper, and his parents, and highlights his role in the family hospitality business. Friends and relatives recall his generosity and kindness, according to Dignity Memorial.
Resources and takeaways
Advocates say tragedies like this are preventable and point to the basics: plan a sober ride, call a friend, use a rideshare, and do it before the first drink. They also note that families blindsided by a crash do not have to navigate the aftermath alone. Groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving offer victim-support services, guidance, and peer connections. The Chun family hopes that by speaking out, they can nudge others to think twice behind the wheel, especially on dark, winding roads like RM 2769, so that another child does not lose a parent to a drunk driver.
