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DJ dies soon after wreck

At first, he seems to be fine, but later complains of having pain.

By JACOB H. FRIES
Published November 1, 2006

LARGO - A 51-year-old St. Petersburg man died Monday shortly after he was involved in a traffic crash at 66th Street and 126th Avenue, police said.

The investigation was continuing, but no charges were expected in the case.

Curtis Bradley Burchard, a disc jockey at Bogart's Tavern, 6585 126th Ave., was leaving the bar in a 1994 Mercury minivan at 12:33 a.m. Monday, Largo police Sgt. George Edmiston said.

Burchard pulled out from the shopping plaza onto 66th Street and was then struck on the driver's side by a northbound 2000 Lincoln driven by Michael Manies, 23, of Clearwater, Edmiston said.

Burchard initially appeared to be fine as he walked around the scene, talked with friends and refused medical treatment, Edmiston said.

But he soon began to complain of pain and was taken to Largo Medical Center, where he died a short time later.

An autopsy was being performed to determine the cause of death, the sergeant said.

Manies, meanwhile, was not injured.

His passenger, Rene E. Simoneaux, 30, was treated at the scene and released.

Jacob H. Fries can be reached at 445-4156 or jfries@sptimes.com.

[Last modified October 31, 2006, 22:42:57]