Daijiworld Media Network – Florida
Florida, Nov 9: In a horrific incident in Tampa’s historic Ybor City, four people were killed and eleven others injured after a speeding car fleeing police crashed into a crowd outside a popular bar early Saturday.
The crash occurred shortly after midnight near Bradley’s on 7th, a well-known nightlife venue in the area. According to Tampa Police, the driver, identified as 22-year-old Silas Sampson, was initially spotted street racing on Hillsborough Avenue before being tracked by an air patrol unit around 12:40 am (local time).
The Florida Highway Patrol attempted a PIT manoeuvre — a technique used to spin a fleeing vehicle — but failed. Officers disengaged as Sampson sped toward downtown Tampa, losing control moments later and ploughing into a group of about 15 people outside the bar.
Three victims died on the spot, while a fourth succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital. Among the eleven injured, two are in critical condition, seven remain stable, and two were treated and released.
“This morning’s incident was a senseless tragedy,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement. “Reckless driving put innocent lives in danger. We are committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families.”
Sampson was arrested and booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. He faces four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of aggravated fleeing or eluding with serious bodily injury or death, all first-degree felonies.
Bradley Nelson, owner of Bradley’s on 7th, said the vehicle struck three people on the sidewalk before crashing into the bar’s patio. “This event has been very traumatic for my entire staff and myself. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and all the injured,” Nelson said.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor expressed her condolences, writing on social media, “Our entire city feels this loss.”
The incident has renewed debate over police pursuit policies in the United States, as Florida authorities have recently relaxed restrictions on high-speed chases and the use of PIT manoeuvres, despite growing concerns over public safety.