A speeding car fleeing police slammed into a crowded bar early Saturday, killing four people and injuring 11 in a historic district of Tampa, Florida, known for its nightlife and tourists.
An air patrol unit spotted the silver sedan driving recklessly on a freeway at about 12:40 a.m. after it was seen street racing in another neighborhood, the Tampa Police Department said in a statement.
The Florida Highway Patrol caught up with the vehicle and tried to perform a PIT maneuver, but it was unsuccessful. Highway patrol officers had to disengage as the vehicle sped toward Ybor City, where the driver lost control and hit multiple people outside the bar, Bradley’s on 7th.
Three people died at the scene, and a fourth died at a hospital. As of Saturday afternoon, two were in critical condition, seven stable, while two others were treated and released. There were also two individuals with minor injuries who declined treatment.
“What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy; our hearts are with the victims’ loved ones,” Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement.
Officers identified the suspect as 22-year-old Silas Sampson, who was booked Saturday and is being held at Hillsborough County Jail.
Court documents show Sampson was charged with four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of aggravated fleeing, all first-degree felonies.
No attorney was immediately listed for Sampson. Mayor Jane Castor expressed the city's grief and noted that the investigation is ongoing.
Recent years have seen some regions pushing to restrict high-speed chases to protect civilians. A 2023 study called for reducing the frequency of such pursuits, citing the dangers they pose.
