Mysterious Crash Kills Key Figure in Burris Investigation
Police not sure why car veered off road and into tree
Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 | Updated 1:44 PM CST
NBC Chicago
John Ruff, a co-plaintiff in Burris' lawsuit to force the secretary of state to certify his Senate appointment, died Monday.
John Ruff, a political consultant embroiled in the appointment of Sen. Roland Burris and subsequent perjury investigation, died Monday when his car veered off the road and smashed into a tree.
The crash happened around 3 p.m., and police say no other car was involved, the Sun-Times reported. Police have ruled out alcohol, but toxicology tests aren’t back yet on Ruff’s body.
Ruff, 42, was suffering from a brain tumor, a friend told Kendall County Coroner Jacquie Marcellis. That could have led to seizures, but it’s unclear if his medical condition was involved in the crash. Ruff died of blunt-force trauma to his head and chest suffered in the crash.
Ruff was a co-plaintiff with Burris in a lawsuit to force Secretary of State Jesse White to certify Burris’ appointment to the U.S. Senate. Ruff later apologized in a front-page Sun-Times story.
Prosecutors investigating whether Burris perjured himself before the Illinois House Impeachment Committee had interviewed Ruff. It’s unclear whether his death will have an affect on the investigation.
Copyright SunTimes
Posted Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 - 1:44 PM CST
