Oklahoma City police released new details Monday about the fiery single-car crash that killed former Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon one day after his federal indictment.
Investigators say the energy executive and part-owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder was driving 78 miles-per-hour when he struck a concrete overpass the morning of March 2.
Go to https://t.co/VQLNaPau53 at 1:30 pm CDT for a live news conference regarding the report on the fatal crash involving Aubrey McClendon.
— Oklahoma City Police (@OKCPD) March 14, 2016
Police say McClendon was alone in the SUV, not wearing a seatbelt, and made no effort to hit the brakes or avoid the wall. Police also said that McClendon's vehicle's data recorder shows that he had been driving 88 mph and tapped his brakes, but not in the 31 feet before impact. Investigators found tire tracks but no skid marks
Investigators are still looking into whether McClendon was using his cell phone at the time.
Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty wouldn’t comment when asked if police believe the crash was intentional.
“Right now we have investigators that are going to be talking to people, trying to put the pieces together from maybe the night before until time this happened to find out if there would have been any reason that he might may have decided to take his own life,” Citty said during a press conference Monday afternoon.
The crash happened a day after a federal grand jury indicted McClendon for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to rig bids for oil and gas leases in northwest Oklahoma. His biggest investor had also recently announced it was limiting its business relationship with him, Reuters reports.
KGOU is a community-supported news organization and relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online, or by contacting our Membership department.
StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership among Oklahoma’s public radio stations and relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online.