Tampa Mayor Jane Castor gave remarks at a news conference Monday morning, just days after four people were killed and 13 were hurt in a crash in Ybor City.
TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says it is safer for the public to keep 7th Avenue in Ybor City open following a deadly weekend crash that left four people dead and 13 others hurt.
Castor spoke on how the city can improve safety in the area during a news conference on Monday morning, two days after a law enforcement chase ended with a car crashing into people gathered outside Bradley’s on 7th.
“It’s still difficult to grasp how one individual’s bad decision can impact so many individuals’ lives,” the mayor said. “Unfortunately, we will never be able to completely safeguard our residents and visitors from other bad decisions people make.”
When speaking about the idea of closing 7th Avenue, Castor said data, based on different localities in the U.S., proves that it is safer for locals and visitors to keep the area open to prevent people with “bad intent” from congregating around local establishments.
“Many come with bad intent, and we’ve seen the results of that in the past,” she said. “Opening up 7th Avenue prevents that congregation, and it also allows public safety and access to the location.”
City Council Chairman Alan Clendenin spoke with Castor at the news conference and made it a point to clarify that the crash was not an “accident.”
“This was the result of a criminal doing criminal activities that resulted in the death of four individuals,” he said. “Nothing more, nothing less.”
In a statement sent out earlier in the day, Clendenin said the city is having many conversations in the coming weeks on how 7th Avenue and other large, crowded areas can have people gather safely.
“All options must be on the table,” Clendenin’s statement read, in part. “Whether that means expanding street closures, increasing police presence, or redesigning high-traffic areas for pedestrian safety, the goal is clear: no one should lose their life while enjoying a night out in Ybor City.”
Deadly crash in Ybor City
Around 12:40 a.m. Saturday, the Tampa Police Department said its air service unit was monitoring a Toyota Camry driving recklessly on I-275. The driver, later identified as 22-year-old Silas Sampson, reportedly kept speeding before exiting the interstate at Doyle Carlton Drive.
Authorities said Sampson was then seen racing on Hillsborough Avenue near 22nd Street.
As the air service unit continued to monitor the Toyota, officers and state troopers said they eventually located the car in the area of Palm Avenue and Nebraska Avenue at around 12:45 a.m.
TPD released helicopter footage showing part of the pursuit. State troopers had attempted a PIT maneuver as Sampson continued speeding toward Nebraska Avenue. Police said they eventually disengaged as he approached 7th Avenue in Ybor City.
Sampson then lost control of the car and crashed into the popular LGBTQ+ bar Bradley’s on 7th, hitting more than a dozen people who were outside, police said.
During his first court appearance on Sunday, a judge denied Sampson bond. A pre-trial detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
Sampson is facing multiple charges, including aggravated fleeing to elude with serious bodily injury or death, as well as vehicular homicide and leaving the scene.