Retired CFD ambulance commander, wife killed in four-vehicle South Deering crash

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A retired Chicago Fire Department ambulance commander and his wife were killed in a four-vehicle crash in the South Deering neighborhood Sunday morning, authorities said.

Retired Cmdr. Richard Biehl, and his wife, Susan, were killed in the crash.

A 30-year-old man who police said caused the crash was speeding and may have been intoxicated, police said. He was transported to University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.



At about 1:15 a.m., the 30-year-old driver hit two vehicles 2100-block of East 103rd Street. One of those vehicles was the Biehl's Dodge SUV.

The Biehls, who had been together for 45 years, had just celebrated their son's wedding last week.

Richard Biehl, who worked for CFD for 30 years, was picking up his wife when the crash occurred. They leave behind four children and several grandchildren.



Friend John Kennedy said the Biehls were a fun couple.

"He was a blast to be with, no matter what he said was funny," Kennedy said. "But he could be serious too and Sue was the same way. She'd crack a joke just like him."

Kennedy said he knew Richard Biehl dating back to when he was a volunteer firefighter in Crestwood.