Orange Co. fire chief had 6 crashes in 6 years

WFTV found out exclusively that an Orange County fire chief has crashed his department vehicle six times in the last six years.

Orange County Assistant Chief Joe Sylvestri earned that he will be suspended for just 12 hours after he crashed his county-issued Crown Victoria into a 79-year-old man's car at the intersection of Kirkman and the 408.

Sylvestri was on his way to a brush fire with his lights and sirens on when he made a left turn on a red light. The other driver had a green light.

The 79-year-old did not want to do an interview, but told WFTV on the phone that his car was totaled. He claimed that Sylvestri was speeding and came out of nowhere.

Sylvestri works out of Station 30, and his own crew responded to the accident and took him to the hospital.

WFTV checked Sylverstri's record, and he has been in six different accidents involving his county vehicle. In one case, he backed up into some equipment. In others, he hit other Orange County cars and even hit a bicyclist.

Sylverstri only received an oral reprimand for the bicyclist incident in 2008. He told investigators he was stopped at a traffic light, made a right turn, then noticed a bicyclist.

This isn't the first time that Orange County firefighters have gotten in trouble for their driving habits.

Last May, WFTV found video of a road-rage incident involving Orange County firefighters. David Jordan tailgated a car, while Thomas Veal flipped off the driver. Jordan was fired, but got his job back. Veal was demoted.

Sylverstri received several tickets for these accidents. Tests show he was not under the influence during these accidents.

WFTV asked his managers why his driving privileges were suspended or why he wasn't fired. They said that they give out progressive discipline.