TAMPA — A man accused of losing control of his speeding car and crashing into a group of Ybor City pedestrians, killing four, now faces DUI charges in connection with the crash.
The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said Silas Sampson, 22, had a blood-alcohol level that was above the legal limit and also had marijuana in his system when the crash happened on Nov. 8.
Sampson had previously been charged with five counts of fleeing to elude high speed with serious bodily injury or death, four counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of reckless driving with serious bodily injury.
The new charges include multiple counts of DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury and DUI with property damage or injury.
According to police, Sampson was fleeing from the Florida Highway Patrol when he got to Ybor City early Saturday. Troopers reportedly backed off because of heavy pedestrian traffic there, but TPD said Sampson kept speeding on East 7th Avenue before hitting a car, and then people outside Bradley’s on 7th.
The victims were identified as: Marlon Anthony Collins, 54, of Bartow; Sherman Jones, 53, of Tampa; Lisa Sherell Johnson, 41, of Winter Haven; and Christina Maria Richards, 25.
Thirteen people were injured.
Sampson remains in custody without bond as he awaits trial.