Former CFD Deputy Commissioner Was Drunk at Time of Lake Shore Drive Crash: REPORTS

John McNicholas |RedCross.org

CHICAGO, IL -- A former, high ranking Chicago Fire Department official failed a Breathalyzer test after crashed a city-owned vehicle on Lake Shore Drive, reports say.

Former CFD Deputy Commissioner John McNicholas crashed his vehicle early Wednesday morning near Lake Shore Drive and North Avenue. Police said he had been cut off by another driver and swerved to avoid the accident, striking a light pole.

McNicholas resigned suddenly on Wednesday afternoon.

Now, fire department officials are saying a breathalyzer test shows that McNicholas was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, WGN News reported.

McNicholas was cited for negligent driving, but not DUI.

The fire department said in a statement that the former deputy commission “had been fully cooperative with the Internal Affairs Division of the department, which determined that McNicholas had been driving his city vehicle in violation of department policy.

According to police, the Ford Explorer had significant front end damage after the crash. The air bags had also deployed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss, according to WGN News.

The crash remains under investigation.