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A Kane County Board candidate charged last week with molesting two teenage girls died Tuesday when his speeding car slammed into a concrete bridge pillar -- a crash authorities said appeared to be intentional.
Brent K. Schepp was killed about 10:35 a.m. when his 2006 Dodge Charger struck a bridge support on Eola Road near Diehl Road on Aurora's northeast side, police said.
The crash occurred four days after the 36-year-old Aurora man was charged with sexually abusing two girls last year. Schepp, who was running as a Republican for a seat on the Kane County Board, would have faced a minimum 34-year prison sentence if convicted.
He was free on bail when his car hit the bridge abutment, hurling him more than 50 feet from the silver car, which shattered into several pieces and caught fire, authorities said. Campaign pamphlets touting Schepp's candidacy were scattered amid the debris.
There were no skid marks or other indications Schepp tried to avoid striking the pillar, authorities said
"The preliminary investigation indicates the accident is self-inflicted,'' Aurora police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said.
A longtime friend recalled Schepp, a married father of four young boys, as someone who had an avid interest in politics and community issues. Schepp was a Republican precinct committeeman and treasurer of the Aurora Township GOP Central Committee.
"He's always had an interest in his community and been involved in community organizations,'' said Dennis Burgin.
Burgin had talked briefly with Schepp after the charges were filed. "He was in a sober state of mind but he seemed normal,'' Burgin said, adding it's difficult for him to believe Schepp deliberately crashed his car.
"I would consider it totally out of character,'' Burgin said. "It would shock me.''
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/100596,CST-NWS-kane18.article
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