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Letter to the editor

First day on mower ends tragically

A lawn care business owner dies when his new riding mower slides into a pond.

By LAUREN BAYNE ANDERSON
Published June 10, 2005

For years, Daniel L. Earnhardt sold auto parts with his father but finally found his passion a few years ago in landscaping.

He started his own business, Viper Lawn Care, and landed a contract to cut the grass at some Bayou Club Estates homes in Pinellas Park.

Earnhardt, 56, died Thursday morning doing what he loved: cutting grass. His riding mower slipped into a pond adjoining the back yard with the Bayou Club golf course on Belcher Road.

Golf course workers saw a wheel from the mower sticking out of the pond and investigated. They found Earnhardt, pulled him out and began CPR.

Earnhardt, 2235 Burlington Ave. N, St. Petersburg, was transported to St. Petersburg General Hospital, where he died.

It was his first day using the newly purchased machine.

"He had just gotten this lawn mower, he was so excited," said his wife, Sylvia Earnhardt. "He just really loved his work very much."

Sheriff's Office spokesman Mac McMullen said it's unclear what caused Earnhardt to lose control but noted the area where he was mowing is on a steep incline.

Sylvia Earnhardt said her family is shocked by his death.

"We're all stunned, I just wasn't expecting anything like this," she said. "He was such a good person, and everyone liked him."

[Last modified June 10, 2005, 01:10:11]