Aubrey McClendon, the founder and CEO of American Energy Partners, has died in a single-car collision on Wednesday, a day after being indicted on charges of price-fixing in the oil and natural gas industry.
McClendon, 56, crashed into an embankment while driving at “a high rate of speed” according to Oklahoma City Police. Capt. Paco Balderrama said that the vehicle was engulfed in flame and that “he pretty much drove straight into the wall.”
He was facing up to 10 years of prison time per count on the charges pending.
Prior to his work with American Energy Partners, he was a founding board member of the Chesapeake Energy Corporation.
Both Chesapeake Energy, when McClendon was its CEO, and American Energy, while he held that role, were title sponsors for the currently-named American Energy Swim Club (nee Chesapeake Swim Club, nee Kerr-McGee Swim Club) and their popular Pro-Am meet held every year in Oklahoma City.
According to the team’s website:
With honors in 2007 the Chesapeake Energy Company became the new sponsor, rebranding the club to Chesapeake Swim Club. In March of 2014, Chesapeake Swim Club was able to forge a new sponsorship with Aubrey McClendon and American Energy Partners, LP to form American Energy Swim Club. We are honored and proud to be able to maintain this continued relationship with the Kerr family since 1963.
McClendon was a key driver in the development of the American shale boom that has revolutionized the energy production industry in the United States.
The American Energy Swim Club did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the death of their long-time benefactor.