Chautauqua County vet, who spoke out against Don't Ask, Don't Tell killed in crash
by Cyndi Moon (@cyndimoon_tg)
A former U.S. Army Sergeant, who actively fought against the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was killed in a car crash.
Sheriff's deputies said Darren Manzella, 36, was killed August 29 along Interstate 490 in Pittsford, NY, just outside Rochester. Manzella side-swiped another car, and while pushing his car towards the side of the road, he was hit by an SUV.
Sergeant Manzella made national headlines for speaking out against DADT in a 2007 interview with "60 Minutes." He was discharged from the Army in 2008. Friends said Manzella had just married his partner in July.
"Don't Ask Don't Tell" was repealed in 2011.
About Darren Manzella:
- Native of Portland, NY (Chautauqua County
- Enlisted in Army in 2002 (served as a medic)
- Served with 1st Cavalry Div., Ft. Hood, TX
- Came out to Military Supervisor in 2006
- Awarded Combat Medical Badge for service in Iraq
- Discharged in 2008 for "homosexual admission"