TAMPA. – Early this Saturday, an apparent illegal race ended in tragedy in Ybor City, a sector known for its nightlife. Four people lost their lives and eleven more were injured when an out-of-control vehicle hit a group of pedestrians in the middle of 7th Avenue.
According to the Chief of the Tampa Police Department (TPD), Lee Bercaw, around 12:40 pm, aerial units detected two cars traveling at high speed on Hillsborough Avenue, heading towards Interstate 275. One of the vehicles diverted towards the center of the city, where the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) attempted to stop it, starting a chase.
Minutes later, the car lost control and ended up crashing into the façade of the Bradley’s on 7th bar, a business located on 15th Street and 7th Avenue, in an area frequented by people of sexual and gender diversity. The vehicle ran over several pedestrians who were on the sidewalk.
Three of the victims died at the scene and one more died in the hospital. Eight people remain hospitalized, one of them in critical condition; They are all adults over 20 years old.
“It was an act of total irresponsibility that cost innocent lives,” said Bercaw, who asked for caution when driving and respect for law enforcement officers.
The driver was identified as Silas Sampson22 years old. He was arrested early Saturday morning and could now face charges of vehicular manslaughter, fleeing police and other serious crimes, authorities reported. They also noted that the suspect has a criminal record and previous traffic law violations in Hillsborough County.
Ybor City, known for being a meeting place for the LGBTQ+ community, woke up shaken, remembering that a night of fun can turn into tragedy due to reckless decisions behind the wheel.
