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Digest

Burning candle is likely cause of house fire

By TIMES WIRES
Published February 22, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG

Fire officials believe a candle is responsible for damaging a home in the Sunlit Shores neighborhood on Wednesday. Power had been knocked out at the home, 9001 Oak St. NE, and the home's owners may have forgotten about a candle burning in their 17-year-old son's bedroom, said Lt. Rick Feinberg, a spokesman for the St. Petersburg Fire Department. No injuries were reported. Barney, the family's 100-pound yellow Labrador, was rushed to a veterinarian, but was released hours later.

LAND O'LAKES

Wesley Chapel man charged in fatality

A man jailed after an early morning fatal crash on U.S. 41 Wednesday is likely to face more charges. The Florida Highway Patrol said Michael A. Velardocchia, 21, of 6045 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel was driving south on U.S. 41 near Little Lake Road about 3 a.m. Wednesday when he lost control of his 2005 Ford Expedition, crossed the highway and struck a man walking along the shoulder. The Explorer veered back into the roadway, spinning around before overturning. The patrol said Velardocchia, who was not injured, fled the scene after talking to residents at a nearby motel. A Pasco sheriff's tracking dog caught up to him about 2 miles from the crash scene. The pedestrian died at the scene. Investigators had identified him through fingerprints but were still trying to contact family members later Wednesday. Velardocchia faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash with death, and driving on a suspended license resulting in death. A charge of DUI manslaughter is forthcoming, pending the results of toxicology tests, patrol spokesman Larry Coggins said.

HOLIDAY

Motorcyclist dies trying to avoid car

A 28-year-old Holiday man died Tuesday after he was thrown from his motorcycle while trying to avoid a collision, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Shannan M. Bingham was driving north on Grand Boulevard in Pasco County about 4 p.m. when a Saturn sedan driven by 17-year-old Michael J. Adams of Palm Harbor turned in front of him, a report said. When Bingham tried to avoid the Saturn, his motorcycle overturned. Bingham of 5123 Perennial Drive, Holiday, was pronounced dead at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg about three hours later. It appeared that Adams was at fault in the crash, said Trooper Larry Coggins Jr. No charges have been filed pending the results of a traffic homicide investigation.

[Last modified February 22, 2007, 01:37:00]