Ed d'Alessandro
Fast facts
Ed D'Alessandro, 54, a 10-year veteran and former New York police officer, now proceeds to an administrative hearing in March in an attempt to get his job back. He earned $68,621 yearly but was terminated in October due to violations of 10 agency guidelines, including "unbecoming conduct" and "willful misuse of police authority."
NAPLES — A former Marco Island police officer's battle to get his job back hit a snag in late January when a judge found him guilty of careless driving for speeding without his lights and siren and crashing into a woman's car when he still worked for the police department.
Collier County Judge Rob Crown also revoked former officer Ed d'Allesandro's license and fined him $500 for the Aug. 13 crash that seriously injured Pat Stoye, an 80-year-old Marco police volunteer victim advocate.
Crown cited officers' testimony that a be-on-the-lookout alert for a hit-and-run vehicle d'Alessandro said he was responding to was called off two to three minutes before he hit Stoye, and witnesses' testimony that the police car was speeding, passing cars and weaving through traffic without its lights and siren on.
Crown ruled d'Alessandro wasn't driving in a prudent, careful manner and caused serious injuries to Stoye, who was taken by air ambulance to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers and treated in the intensive care unit.
The judge's decision pleased Stoye, who came to court using a cane, still suffering from her fractured leg. Stoye didn't testify because she doesn't remember the crash.
"We have a claim against all responsible parties and (the case) helped establish a responsible party," said Stoye's attorney, Sharon Hanlon of Naples, who hasn't filed a lawsuit but is pursuing an insurance claim to cover Stoye's hefty medical bills.
D'Alessandro, 54, a 10-year veteran and former New York police officer, now proceeds to an administrative hearing in March in an attempt to get his job back. He earned $68,621 yearly but was terminated in October due to violations of 10 agency guidelines, including "unbecoming conduct" and "willful misuse of police authority."
The internal affairs investigation that led to his termination was his first.
But it wasn't his only on-duty crash. He struck another vehicle in 2007 and hit a utility pole wire in 2006. Both caused damage to city vehicles. The Aug. 13 crash destroyed both cars.
Defense attorney Derek Verderamo and d'Alessandro declined comment, as did Marco Island police officials. On Monday, however, Verderamo filed a motion asking Crown to mitigate — reduce — the sentence.
In his testimony, d'Alessandro said he was searching for a white sport utility vehicle involved in a hit-and-run crash and was driving up to SUVs, then moving to the next one.
"Had (Stoye) not pulled in front of me, making what was an illegal turn, the accident would not have occurred," d'Alessandro testified. " ... I really don't think my speed was excessive."
Fast facts
The black box revealed Ed d'Alessandro was driving 80 mph on Collier Boulevard, a 35 mph zone, without emergency lights or sirens, six seconds before impact. It showed his northbound car was going 61.5 mph when it hit Pat Stoye's southbound car as she turned left onto Saturn Court.
He contended he had to speed because he believed the SUV was fleeing for other reasons and he didn't want it to leave the island.
During closing arguments, Verderamo contended d'Alessandro wasn't guilty of a traffic infraction.
"My client did absolutely nothing wrong to warrant careless driving," Verderamo told the judge. "It would be customary for him to travel at this rate of speed under the circumstances."
Verderamo was successful in getting the car's black box evidence tossed out because it's considered hearsay — inadmissible — without witnesses or evidence to certify and prove it was routinely calibrated. As a result, testimony only involved witnesses saying his speed was more than 55 mph.
The black box revealed d'Alessandro was driving 80 mph on Collier Boulevard, a 35 mph zone, without emergency lights or sirens, six seconds before impact. It showed his northbound car was going 61.5 mph when it hit Stoye's southbound car as she turned left onto Saturn Court.
He tried to stop, but skidded 121 feet before hitting her, causing both cars to spin and the patrol car to go over a sidewalk, roll over a park bench and land in palm trees. Stoye's Toyota Corolla was propelled about 220 feet and came to rest in the middle of the street.
Collier sheriff s Cpl. Karen Hebebrand investigated and found two contributing factors: d'Alessandro's speed and Stoye not yielding the right of way. She didn't ticket either driver.
However, after investigating, Marco police Sgt. George Williams cited d'Alessandro.
Collier County arrests 05-23-2012
Collier County arrests 05-22-2012
Editorial Cartoons: May 23, 2012
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 26
mattmaki writes:
Aw, give him his job back. Why have any integrity now Marco Island?
MarcoRobert writes:
Let's not judge on one incident alone but look at this decorated officer's contribution to the people he served.
Also, again, the black box info is HERESAY...
MedComic1 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
slogoodland writes:
I was under the impression that law officers had to look and be some what fit.... but then again i could be wrong! Give the man his job back Mr. don hunter you had worse in Naples.
676 writes:
Congratulations to Sgt. George Williams, and Judge Rob Crown.
As to "contributing factors", speed was really the only one. We all become used to normal (posted) speed on city streets. Perception of a vehicle moving at 80 mph from a considerable distance is very misleading in a 35 mph speed zone. The average driver would have made the turn without considering a speed like that. The lady did nothing wrong. Keep this hotdog off the streets.
darkduude writes:
Ed D'Alessandro is great person. Everybody makes mistakes.The Marco police department would be a lot better with him back on the force.
brighteyes writes:
Great comment.
savethewhalz writes:
Perhaps the apparatus on his stomach got tangled up on the steering wheel. Who knows? Accidents happen. I say re-hire Ed to compete in the 2012 varsity law enforcement Sumo competition. Have a winner bring some pride back to the Marco Police Department!
drolds writes:
He looks stupid.
privateroad writes:
he should be in jail. I bet he has done this and worse many times before. go back to New york and be a cop.
MedComic1 writes:
MIPD's Ed d'Allesandro and CCSO's Jesse Todd are dangerous to civilians, fail to obey policy, and should never drive a police unit again!
Collier deputy involved in fatal crash has had six accidents in six years
By JENNA BUZZACCO-FOERSTER
Posted April 23, 2011 at 6 p.m.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/a...
profiler writes:
If this has been a "citizen" driving they would be charged with a criminal offense. As usual the police state will protect its own when they break the law. It is time to fight back. Any time you serve on a jury you have the legal authority to ignore anything the judge says or orders and find someone "not guilty". Check out fija.org for some great information. Also if you want to find out how the great gestapo railroads people check out killercop.com. You really have NO rights in this fascist gestapo police state. Keep voting...they love to see people foolish enough to believe their vote counts! There will be no freedom until people rise up against our corrupt system. Remember...you can fight the police state with the only vote that counts...that as a juror. If you disagree with any law you not only have the power..you have the DUTY to acquit when dealing with the police state and its attempt to quash your rights, freedom of speech, and other brazen attempts to stomp out anything the police state disagrees with.
sig heil comrad obama......
profiler writes:
http://www.copblock.com
I bet anyone with a badge would shoot the owners of that site if they thought they could get away with that too!
Anytime you see a cop get a free cup of coffee ask yourself why they are taking a bribe. Many years ago I worked in a store and every cop that walked in wanted a discount. Well...apparently they arent a cop to protect and serve anyone..but their own interests. Free sick pay. Free vacation. Totally ripoff retirement at everyone else's expense. Then they expect all other kinds of stuff for free or at a discount. Does this sound like they are serving the community..or themselves. The majority of them lie under oath and know their buddies do as well. The majority of them expect handouts like they are some kind of hero for ripping off the taxpayers with free retirement while honest people have to put into their own retirement fund. Government employees are in those positions for their own gain as are all the crook politicians. Now this guy almost kills someone with reckless disregard for the safety of the community..but will have the guts to tell everyone how he is here to protect them! WHAT A LIE. If anything...maybe he should run for office. Then he can continue to "serve" the people LOL!
http://www.killercop.com see how the gestapo operates!
http://www.copblock.com see the good men and women in uniform "serving" the public
http://www.fija.org see how to fight back against the police state
jbm9 writes:
Hebebrand no ticket. Typical protocol for your department. Lets not hold the officers resposible for their action as usual. After all the statement of "I really don't think my speed was excessive". Only more than double the speed limit, no problem.Wrong is wrong,the rules don't change because you have a badge. We all have to be held accountable period!
southernstateofmind writes:
$70,000 a year? As an ex military member, that is absurd. No physical fitness standards whatsoever. As a physically fit 25 year old, this just makes me sick. Marco Island has little to no crime rate, yet these "public service officers" are being over-compensated. It's really ridiculous. We have 18 year old adults being shot at for a mere $600 a week, but these guys get paid a hefty salary. I'm willing to bet his salary he couldn't stay in a race with a 5 year old, unless he was driving..
FLFamily writes:
If you look at the article it clearly states he has had 2 previous accidents before this one. I do not live on Marco Island but I hope Chief Hunter does not rehire this officer as he is a walking/talking liability.
profiler writes:
WOW...I didnt even look at his picture. One too many doughnuts????
HAP writes:
Just gross. So you're risking our lives to let this disgrace back. At what price will you pay? Trust me, it will be plenty. Shame on all of you above the law, law enforcement. They all need to be under psycho evaluation.
profiler writes:
He isn't in it for the money! He is here to protect and serve LOL---just like the rest of the nazis. Too bad people don't see what this country has truly become.
If you want to see how the gestapo government censors people: http://www.killercop.com
If you want to see police officers protecting and serving the public: http://www.copblock.com
If you want to see one of the few ways to fight back against the nazi police state: http://www.fija.org
Keep on voting people. As long as you waste your time voting they keep you preoccupied into believing you have rights and responsibilities to the nation-state.
If you don't believe me just go to government propaganda sites like CBS or NBC.
JakeBrake writes:
As a L.E.O. I can say person should not get his job back , nor should he hold a law enforcment certificate. He not only disregarded the saftey of the public , he serverly injured a citzen . These are the cops that make us look bad. It's time for City, county , and state law enforcement to start cleaning house and get rid of these bad apples.
titanbite writes:
Obviously,this guy has a long history of problems,so,it doesn't surprise me that he would stoop this low and blame an eighty year old woman for his own lack of commonsense,cop's like this are nothing but hot-headed menaces to society,let it go,let him go,surely,he could get a job patrolling the streets of New York City,Philly or Los Angeles,you know,where real crime happens.
He could go all,"gung-ho,protect and serve",all he want's in those cities,Marco Island police needs an officer with a little more character and self-discipline,this guy just doesn't fill that bill.
darkduude writes:
If police officers drove the speed limit they would never catch any criminals. Their job is dangerous that is why they are allowed to carry guns. Collier county pays all police officers,firemen, EMTs and teachers alot less than most counties in Florida. I agree that the United States military is way under paid. What happened with this ex-officer may be wrong, he should be given a second chance and have to do extra training to help him handle any future situations correctly. Finding people to fill these positions for the pay is very hard. I still can't believe Marco Island hired Don Hunter for police chief, I thought he was retired. How many years does he have to work to get another pension?
EdNorton writes:
Jake,thanks for personally stepping forward as an officer, and telling like it is.You sir are one of a very few that have done so on a public forum.
There are many of us out here that have completely lost all respect for most police officers,and until they clean up the criminal/corrupt ones,I don't see that respect coming back any time soon.This officer would be a start.I doubt if he will lose his certification,the FDLE board is full of lenient corrupt X police union members.That needs to change,hopefully the Gov. will implement those changes.
You should take some time and read about the corrupt/criminal officers on the east coast.The SunSentinal for one and South Florida Times another.Corrupt /criminal cops are over flowing on the east coast,especially from WPB south.Cops there are making the news every week.BSO/Hollywood topping the list generally.
I wonder if this officer already has his retirement check from NYC, and is just trying to put in at least another 20/25 years here.From his looks,he might be out on a disability from NYC.Again,thanks for stepping up and telling it like it should be.The public needs more of officers like yourself.
MedComic1 writes:
Collier sheriff's Cpl. Karen Hebebrand is the same inept THI deputurd that investigated the Rivas kid's crash scene!
Hebebrand was mentally lost (by plan?) during that investigation and the longtime CCSO contracted Psychologist's son was given criminal immunity due to his dads association with CCSO!
Sheriff’s Office: No conflict in investigating deadly Pine Ridge Road crash
By RYAN MILLS
Posted May 26, 2009 at 5:47 p.m.
http://www.setanchor.com/news/2009/ma...
Collier deputy transferred after making disparaging comments on Web site
By RYAN MILLS
Posted June 25, 2009 at 4:44 p.m., updated June 25, 2009 at 7:47 p.m.
http://www.setanchor.com/news/2009/ju...
MedComic1 writes:
Castle Keep Armory
http://castlekeeparmory.com/content/a...
multi_million_heir writes:
ed is a great guy. he's been there, done it. the old lady failed to yield the right of way. period. routine speed there is 50-60, not the posted 35. i cant think of anywhere on the island that people do the posted limit. you must have some insight on ed that no one else has. how long have you personally known ed?
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.