A speeding car that had evaded a police chase in Tampa early Saturday crashed into crowd outside an Ybor City bar killing four and injuring 11, according to the Tampa Police Department.
The deadly crash came around 12:40 a.m. near the bar Bradley’s in the 1500 block of East 7th Ave.
Tampa Police Department Air Service was monitoring a vehicle driving recklessly on Interstate 275, police said. The driver, identified as 22-year-old Silas Sampson, continued to drive recklessly at a high rate of speed and exited the interstate at Doyle Carlton Drive. The same vehicle had previously been observed street racing on Hillsborough Avenue near 22nd Street.
Police said as Air Service continued to monitor the vehicle TPD and the Florida Highway Patrol located the vehicle in the area of Palm Avenue and Nebraska Avenue. FHP initiated a pursuit and attempted an unsuccessful Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver as Sampson continued to travel at a high rate of speed toward Nebraska Avenue, continuing eastbound on 7th Ave.
FHP disengaged as Sampson approached 7th Ave., police said. Sampson continued at a high rate of speed and lost control, resulting in Sampson crashing into a business and hitting more than a dozen people who were outside.
Three victims died at the scene police said. A fourth victim died at the hospital. A fifth victim is hospitalized in critical condition, and eight additional victims are being treated at local hospitals but are currently listed as stable. Two other victims with minor injuries declined treatment on scene. All 15 victims are adults.
“What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy, our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted,” said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. “Reckless driving put innocent lives in danger. The Tampa Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol are committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families.”
The Florida Highway Patrol is the lead agency in the traffic crash investigation. This is an active investigation.