TAMPA, Fla. – The man accused of losing control of his speeding car and crashing into a group of Ybor City pedestrians, killing four, will not receive bond.
In court on Thursday, Hillsborough County Chief Judge Christopher C. Sabella said there would be no bond on the four counts of vehicular homicide Silas Sampson, 22, is facing. Bonds of $100,000 were determined on as many of six other charges.
Sampson also was in court Wednesday, where it was announced he is now charged with three counts each of fleeing to elude causing serious bodily injury and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury. He was previously charged with vehicular homicide.
Sampson’s family members sat in the courtroom Thursday, not far away from family members of the victims.
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.
Family members of the victims attended Thursday’s hearing. (Spectrum News)
Court records indicated Sampson’s car was traveling at 92 mph just seconds before the 7th Ave crash.
The victims were identified earlier this week 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.
On Thursday, during the 10-minute hearing, attorneys determined bonds on the updated charges.
No future hearing hearings on the case have been set yet.