(L-R) Tampa City Council Chair Alan Clendenin, Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw, and City Councilmembers Naya Young and Guido Maniscalco in Ybor City, Florida on March 3, 2026. Credit: Ray Roa / Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
The City of Tampa and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) say that a new $400,000 roadway improvement project in Ybor City is in “direct response” to the fatal high-speed chase that resulted in four deaths and multiple injuries last November.
According to a City of Tampa press release, the first phase of the project is already underway and will focus on repaving a total of 3.75 lane-miles in select areas around the historic district, including the section of 7th Avenue between Nebraska Avenue and Nuccio Parkway, near where the deadly pursuit with law enforcement occurred.
The project—which officials told reporters was the beginning of more projects to come—also adds a total of 45 new on-street parking spaces and two bus bays, which the City of Tampa says will help naturally reduce speed in the area by narrowing the roadway.
Other upgrades in the area include installing new crash-rated bollards at high volume pedestrian areas and crosswalks, and the continued rebricking of 7th Avenue, “which helps calm traffic,” claims the city.
“Ybor City has always been a safe place for drivers and pedestrians. Over the past decade, there has not been a deadly crash on 7th Avenue, other than the November incident,” reads the press release. “While no infrastructure can eliminate every risk, these improvements will go a long way toward making Ybor City even safer for the many visitors stopping by to take in its rich culture.”
Credit: Image via City of Tampa
The first part of the project, which is funded entirely by the Mobility Department, is expected to be completed by the second week of March, while the bollards and rebricking phase won’t begin until later this year.
On Nov. 8 of last year, Tampa police and the Florida Highway Patrol began a high-speed pursuit of a Toyota Camry driven by 22-year-old Silas Sampson, who they believed was driving “in a reckless and erratic manner,” on I-275.
At one point during the pursuit—just about 2,000 feet from the crash—a Florida Highway Patrol officer unsuccessfully attempted a PIT (precision immobilization technique) maneuver to force the vehicle to stop, but Sampson continued towards the western gateway to the historic district.
Local law enforcement, including TPD, are prohibited from executing PIT maneuvers unless the driver is suspected of a forcible felony or burglary.
Sampson ultimately lost control at 82 mph and crashed into a crowd in front of The Copper Shaker and Bradley’s on 7th.
The incident resulted in four deaths and at least 11 injuries.
Sampson is currently jailed without bond until trial and facing multiple charges including five counts of fleeing to elude at a high speed with serious bodily injury or death, four counts of DUI manslaughter, four counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of reckless driving with serious bodily injury.
Responding to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay about the conversations Tampa Police is having with FHP about the failed PIT maneuver that preceded the crash, Police Chief Lee Bercaw said that his agency is not the lead investigator but in constant communication.
Once FHP sends its report, TPD can start its after action, the chief added. “We review all critical incidents, whether it’s a traffic crash or whether it’s a shooting, anything that’s high liability,” he said.
As far as a timeline for when that FHP investigation might finally be closed?
“We’re eagerly waiting ourselves,” Bercaw said.
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This article appears in Feb. 26 – Mar. 04, 2026.