A deadly crash early Saturday morning in Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood has left four people dead and 11 others injured after a high-speed police pursuit. The incident unfolded around 12:40 a.m. when Tampa police officers observed two vehicles racing westbound on Hillsborough Avenue towards Interstate 275. While one of the vehicles eventually broke off from the chase, the other, a silver 2019 Toyota Camry, continued south on I-275 and exited toward downtown Tampa, where the pursuit intensified.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) joined the chase, attempting to pull the Camry over. When the driver refused to stop, FHP officers deployed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, aiming to force the vehicle into a spin and bring it to a halt. However, the maneuver failed, and officers backed off, allowing the driver to continue speeding down 7th Avenue in Ybor City.
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Tragically, the Camry crashed into a group of pedestrians just east of 15th Street, outside Bradley’s, a popular bar frequented by tourists and locals. The crash resulted in three fatalities at the scene, with a fourth victim later dying at the hospital. A fifth individual remains in critical condition, while eight others are recovering in stable condition. Two others with minor injuries declined medical treatment at the scene.
“These victims were simply enjoying a night out in Ybor City, and tragically, they never made it home,” said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. “A reckless driver at high speeds put everyone in harm’s way, and now lives have been lost, and others will be forever affected by this terrible event.”
The driver, 22-year-old Silas Sampson of Dade City, Florida, was apprehended shortly after the crash. He has been charged with four counts of vehicular homicide, aggravated fleeing to elude, and serious bodily injury. Additional felony charges are anticipated as the investigation progresses.
“This was an act of carelessness and recklessness that ended in loss of life,” Bercaw added. “These people were out enjoying life, never expecting it to be cut short in such a senseless way.”
The Florida Highway Patrol is leading the investigation, continuing to piece together the events leading up to the crash. Authorities are urging witnesses, including anyone with video footage from the area, to come forward as they work to fully understand the circumstances of this devastating incident.
The Ybor City community is in mourning as friends and families remember the victims and reflect on the tragic loss. The investigation remains ongoing.