Chicago Deputy Commissioner Resigns Position After Crash

A high-ranking Chicago Fire Department official has resigned his command position after he was in a traffic accident early Wednesday with his city-issued vehicle on North Lake Shore Drive, a department spokesman said.

Chicago Fire Department Deputy Commissioner John McNicholas was “operating his city vehicle outside department policy” when it crashed sometime during the early morning hours near Lake Shore Drive and North Avenue, said spokesman Larry Langford.

McNicholas has since sent a letter to Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago resigning from his deputy commissioner position effective immediately, said Langford.

McNicholas “has been fully cooperative with the Internal Affairs Division of the department,” said Langford. He said the investigation is ongoing.

While McNicholas has resigned as deputy commissioner, Langford said it’s not known yet if he will accept a demotion within the department or retire.

Police did not immediately release information about the incident.

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