Aubrey McClendon, co-owner of Oklahoma City Thunder dies in crash
Listen to this articleIt has been reported that the co-owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the founder and former CEO of Chesapeake Energy, Aubrey McClendon has died in a single vehicle crash in Oklahoma City.
According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, who held a press conference after the crash which occurred about 9 a.m. local time, McClendon drove his 2013 Chevy “straight into” an overpass wall at a high rate of speed. They noted he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and his vehicle was quickly engulfed in flames.
McClendon founded Chesapeake Energy in 1989 and turned it into an energy industry powerhouse. In 2013 he left the company over “philosophical differences,” and founded a new energy company, American Energy Partners. When he was at Chesapeake it was found that he had scored over $1 billion in loans backed by his stake in company wells and that he had not notified the board of directors or shareholders of his actions. The Wall Street Journal reported at the time McClendon was under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company stripped him of his title and responsibilities and that’s when McClendon left Chesapeake Energy.
On Tuesday the Department of Justice indicted McClendon for allegedly conspiring to fix the price of oil and natural gas well leases in Oklahoma. he denied the charges vigorously.
During the press conference Captain Paco Balderrama of the Oklahoma City Police Department said, “There was plenty of opportunity for him to correct and get back on the road but that did not happen.”
The police said it was to early to say whether the crash was deliberate or not.
People from around the energy and business world — as well as the NBA — are sharing their condolences. Oklahoma Thunder Chairman Clayton Bennett released a statement on the team’s website saying, “I am overcome with grief. Aubrey McClendon was a visionary community leader, a trusted business partner and a passionate member of the Thunder family. But more than anything, he was a brother and a dear friend.
“His love of his community and his desire to make Oklahoma a better place will forever inspire all of us. Louise and I offer our love and prayers to Katie and the McClendon family.”
Tonight the Thunder are playing the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. before the game OKC head coach Billy Donovan addressed the situation.
Video and top Photo of Thunder Head Coach Billy Donovan by Claudia Gestro
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