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YBOR CITY, Fla. — Four people are dead and 11 others are injured after a car crashed into a bar in Ybor City early Saturday morning, Tampa police said.
Officials say the alleged driver was 22-year-old Silas Sampson. They say he was speeding before he hit multiple people at Bradley’s, a bar on 7th Avenue.
Tampa police say that at around 12:45 a.m., Tampa Police Air Service saw a car speeding on I-275. Police believe that this was one of the vehicles they saw racing earlier.
When the driver got off the interstate, police attempted a pit maneuver and failed. When they got close to 7th Avenue, they disengaged due to the danger of doing a pit maneuver in the area.
Authorities said the driver then driver lost control and crashed into a Bradley’s and hit over a dozen people. A witness says the victims were on the bar’s patio.
Three people died at the scene and one died in the hospital, and 11 others were injured.
“What I can tell you is all the victims were over 20. They were all adults. And we had four that were here that tragically lost their lives. They were out in Ybor, having a good time, expecting to go home safely. And a careless, reckless driver takes everybody’s lives in his hands and just ended this night in a situation that’s never going to be the same for these individuals,” said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor also shared a statement following Saturday’s incident.
What happened in Ybor last night was devastating. Families are grieving, first responders are hurting, and our city feels this loss. My thoughts are with everyone affected. The investigation continues, and our commitment to keeping our community safe has never been stronger.
Early Saturday morning, the car was pulled off the bar’s patio.
“It was coming so fast, I was just in shock,” said Howard Hopkins, who witnessed the incident.
What was supposed to be a chill night with friends for Hopkins turned deadly. Hopkins was next door to Bradley’s, when the incident happened.
“It was a full patio. The tables went flying and chairs were flying, it was pretty bad,” Hopkins said.
“We want to see Ybor City shown in its best. So, this is the type of attention we don’t want to see,” said Ybor resident Eric Ebuen.
As for Hopkins, he said he is lucky to be alive.
“I just feel bad, and thoughts and prayers go out to the family members and their friends and loved ones because they just came out for a good night. Nobody expected this to happen,” Hopkins said.
Police took custody of the driver at the scene of the crash.
Florida Highway Patrol said the alleged driver is being charged with vehicular homicide and other felony charges are expected to follow.
The investigation remains ongoing.
