Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant from Mt. Greenwood Dies After Bicycle Accident

CHICAGO, IL -- A Chicago Fire Department lieutenant died of head injuries three weeks he sustained in a bicycle accident three weeks ago, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

CFD Lt. Danny Carbol, 56, who lived in Mt. Greenwood, died Monday night at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Carbol was riding his bicycle home after finishing a shift on Sept. 20. He collided with a vehicle and after braking, went over the bike and hit the vehicle head first, CFD spokesman Larry Langford told the Sun-Times.

According to Langford, Carbol suffered irreversible brain damage. He called the lieutenant’s death a “great loss to the department.”

“Danny comes from a firefighter family,” Langford told the newspaper. “His dad served many years and his brother is also a firefighter. He rode his bicycle to and from the firehouse for many years. We are saddened at the loss and his department family joins his first family in mourning his death.”

Despite three unsuccessful runs for 19th Ward Republican Committeeman in 2004, 2008 and 2016, Carbol remained dedicated to public service and was a strong supporter of veterans, fire and police officers.

Carbol was a 30-year resident of the 19th Ward encompassing Beverly, Mt. Greenwood and Morgan Park, and 30-year decorated veteran Chicago firefighter. His wife, Marta, is a teacher at Br. Rice High School. Carbol is also the father of three sons, two of whom are serving in the military, according to his 2016 campaign bio.

He was also a substitute high school teacher. Explaining his reasons for running for 19th Ward Republican Committee, Carbol said in a statement for the Beverly Review:

“Family, faith and community—it is what the 19th Ward is made of. Aristotle and Aquinas spoke of such things as priority of family and political society, which naturally develops from family and community. It is that sense of community that is heartfelt … when the community gathers together in support of our finest in blue who have been villainized by the media, or a sea of firefighters paying respect and honoring a fallen firefighter, or a flag ceremony to honor veterans and our fallen members of our military.”

An autopsy was pending as of Tuesday afternoon.

Photo: CFD Lt. Danny Carbol