Chiacchia fights fungal meningitis

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A former Olympic equestrian from Springville has fungal meningitis. Darren Chiacchia is battling fungal meningitis and contracted MRSA while in the hospital.

While he is in the hospital, staff is working to keep his farms in Springville and Ocala, Florida up and running.

Chiacchia was on the bronze-medal winning team at the 2004 Olympic Games.

Chiacchia was critically injured in a riding accident in 2008. He since recovered from the injuries. In 2010, Chiacchia faced charges because he allegedly didn’t tell a past sexual partner he was HIV positive.

Chiacchia's Business Manager Ann Clements of Wellington, FL, said today, "Darren is an incredibly strong man, both physically and mentally, and his family and friends are praying that he will fight this awful illness successfully. He is in constant and terrible pain and we are all holding steady vigil while we keep his farms in Ocala, FL and Springville, NY running smoothly.”