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.
