Florida Highway Patrol and the Tampa Police Department are investigating after a driver crashed into a crowd of people in Ybor City overnight, killing four and injuring more than a dozen others.According to Tampa police, their helicopter was monitoring a vehicle driving recklessly on I-275 around 12:40 a.m. on Saturday that had previously been observed street racing. The vehicle was seen traveling at a high rate of speed and exited the highway onto Doyle Carlton Drive. TPD and FHP located the vehicle near Palm Avenue and Nebraska Avenue a few minutes later.FHP initiated a pursuit and unsuccessfully tried to perform a PIT maneuver on the driver, who continued to travel at a high rate of speed toward Nebraska Ave before continuing east on 7th Avenue. Tampa police said FHP disengaged its pursuit as the driver approached 7th Ave.The driver continued at a high rate of speed before losing control and crashing into a crowd of people outside of a business on the 1500 block of East 7th Avenue.Tampa police said that three people were pronounced dead at the scene and a fourth person died at the hospital. Thirteen other people were injured, including at least one who is hospitalized in critical condition.Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said, “What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy, our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted. 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 suspect, 22-year-old Silas Sampson, was detained at the scene. According to the Hillsborough County jail, Sampson is facing four counts of aggravated fleeing to elude, causing serious bodily injury or death, and four counts of vehicular homicide.Court records show that Sampson was issued a civil traffic citation for driving 99 mph in a 70-mph zone on I-75 in Hillsborough County in September 2025. He paid that speeding ticket in October.On social media, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said, “What happened in Ybor City last night was devastating. Families are grieving, first responders are hurting, and our entire city feels this loss. My thoughts are with everyone affected. The investigation into this crash is ongoing, and we are working to get answers. Keeping our community safe will always be my top priority, and that commitment only deepens in moments like this.”Florida Highway Patrol is the lead agency investigating the crash.

TAMPA, Fla. —

Florida Highway Patrol and the Tampa Police Department are investigating after a driver crashed into a crowd of people in Ybor City overnight, killing four and injuring more than a dozen others.

According to Tampa police, their helicopter was monitoring a vehicle driving recklessly on I-275 around 12:40 a.m. on Saturday that had previously been observed street racing. The vehicle was seen traveling at a high rate of speed and exited the highway onto Doyle Carlton Drive. TPD and FHP located the vehicle near Palm Avenue and Nebraska Avenue a few minutes later.

FHP initiated a pursuit and unsuccessfully tried to perform a PIT maneuver on the driver, who continued to travel at a high rate of speed toward Nebraska Ave before continuing east on 7th Avenue. Tampa police said FHP disengaged its pursuit as the driver approached 7th Ave.

The driver continued at a high rate of speed before losing control and crashing into a crowd of people outside of a business on the 1500 block of East 7th Avenue.

Tampa police said that three people were pronounced dead at the scene and a fourth person died at the hospital. Thirteen other people were injured, including at least one who is hospitalized in critical condition.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said, “What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy, our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted. 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 suspect, 22-year-old Silas Sampson, was detained at the scene. According to the Hillsborough County jail, Sampson is facing four counts of aggravated fleeing to elude, causing serious bodily injury or death, and four counts of vehicular homicide.

Court records show that Sampson was issued a civil traffic citation for driving 99 mph in a 70-mph zone on I-75 in Hillsborough County in September 2025. He paid that speeding ticket in October.

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On social media, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said, “What happened in Ybor City last night was devastating. Families are grieving, first responders are hurting, and our entire city feels this loss. My thoughts are with everyone affected. The investigation into this crash is ongoing, and we are working to get answers. Keeping our community safe will always be my top priority, and that commitment only deepens in moments like this.”

Florida Highway Patrol is the lead agency investigating the crash.