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Off-Duty Chicago Officer Dies In Motorcycle Accident

Updated 8/19/2013 at 6 p.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A veteran Chicago police sergeant died from injuries from a motorcycle crash Sunday evening, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office says.

Jean Borja, 44, was merging onto northbound La Grange Road from Archer Avenue near Willow Springs about 6:50 p.m., when he lost control of the vehicle, authorities said.

The sergeant was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died at 7:50 p.m.

Sources initially said Borja may have suffered a fatal heart attack, but the medical examiner's office said the officer died of "multiple injuries" as a result of the accident.

His longtime police colleague and close friend Humberto Candelario is helping the family with funeral arrangements.

"He was extremely dedicated to duty," Candelario said, becoming emotional as he talked with CBS 2's Mai Martinez.

Candelario said Borja was interested in turning Pilsen, the neighborhood where he grew up, into a safe place for young people.

(Contributing: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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