URGENT UPDATE: A tragic incident in Ybor City, Florida, has left four people dead and eleven others injured after a speeding car crashed into a crowd early Saturday morning. The Tampa Police Department confirmed that the horrifying crash occurred around 12:40 a.m. near a popular bar, Bradley’s, as the vehicle careened down 7th Avenue.
Authorities reported that the driver, 22-year-old Silas Sampson from Dade City, faces eight felony charges, including four counts of vehicular homicide. The incident began when police air units observed two cars racing westbound on Hillsborough Avenue toward Interstate 275. One vehicle broke off while Sampson’s car continued south on I-275, evading an attempted traffic stop by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw stated that the car sped into Ybor City, where it struck pedestrians gathered outside, resulting in a chaotic scene. Tragically, three victims succumbed to their injuries at the scene, while a fourth died later at a local hospital. As of 5:30 a.m., one person remains in critical condition, and eight others are being treated at nearby hospitals in stable condition. Two additional individuals sustained minor injuries but declined further medical assistance.
Bercaw confirmed that all victims were adults over the age of 20. The police chief described the incident as an “unthinkable tragedy” and emphasized the devastating impact on the community.
Sampson was arrested at the scene, and court records reveal he had received a speeding citation less than two months prior, driving at 99 mph in a 70 mph zone on Interstate 75. This alarming history raises questions about road safety and the consequences of reckless driving.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities urge anyone with information to come forward. The community mourns the loss of lives and grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event. Updates will follow as more details are confirmed.
Stay tuned for more information on this developing story.
