Former Chesapeake Energy CEO Dies In Car Accident
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
DALLAS (CBSDFW) - Former Chesapeake Energy Corp. CEO Aubrey McClendon died in a car accident on Wednesday morning, Oklahoma City Police confirm.
According to the CBS affiliate in Oklahoma, News 9, first responders were called to the scene of the deadly crash just after 9 a.m. on N. Midwest Blvd., between E. Memorial Rd. and NE 122nd. St. to an SUV that had reportedly struck a bridge and burst into flames. One person was pronounced dead at the scene and later police confirmed with News 9 that the deceased individual was in fact McClendon.
McClendon was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday after being accused of rigging bids for oil and natural gas leases.
The Department of Justice said Tuesday the indictment alleges that the conspiracy ran from December 2007 to March 2012.
In addition to being the former CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp., McClendon was also a co-founder of the oil and gas company.
According to News 9, Oklahoma City police spokesperson Paco Balderrama said McClendon's vehicle, identified as a 2013 Chevy Tahoe, was traveling northbound on Midwest Blvd. at a high rate of speed when it drifted left of center and slammed into the bridge abutment.
Chesapeake Energy spokesperson Gordon Pennoyer released the following statement about this incident:
"Chesapeake is deeply saddened by the news that we have heard today and our thoughts and prayers are with the McClendon family during this difficult time."
McClendon is a part owner of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder.
This is a developing story. Refresh for the latest updates.
(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
