UPDATE: A tragic incident in Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood has left four people dead and 11 injured following a high-speed police chase that ended with a devastating crash early Saturday morning. The crash occurred just after 12:40 a.m. outside Bradley’s on 7th, a popular bar in the area.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw confirmed that the situation escalated when Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officers observed two cars racing westbound on Hillsborough Avenue. The chase began when one car, identified as a 2019 Toyota Camry, fled southbound on I-275 after an attempted traffic stop. Chief Bercaw detailed that the FHP initiated a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver to stop the fleeing vehicle, but it proved unsuccessful.
“After that, unfortunately, this vehicle went at a high rate of speed down 7th Avenue, and tragically, just east of 15th Street, hit over a dozen people,” Bercaw stated. The Camry careened into a crowd, resulting in multiple casualties. Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while a fourth succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital. One individual remains in critical condition, and others are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Bercaw expressed deep sorrow for the victims, stating, “They were out in Ybor, having a good time, expecting to go home safely. And a careless, reckless driver takes everybody’s lives in his hands.” All of the victims were adults over the age of 20, and the incident has shocked the local community as they mourn the loss of life.
Police have taken the suspected driver, Silas Sampson, a 22-year-old from Dade City, into custody. He is currently held at the Hillsborough County Jail and faces four counts of vehicular homicide along with charges for aggravated fleeing to elude and serious bodily injury. Authorities anticipate additional felony charges as the investigation continues.
The Florida Highway Patrol is leading the ongoing investigation, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the police pursuit and subsequent crash. As the community grapples with this tragedy, officials urge anyone with information to come forward.
This devastating event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving and the profound impact it can have on families and friends. The local community and beyond are left to process the loss and support one another during this difficult time.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.