Tampa, FL – Shortly after midnight, four adults were killed and eleven others were injured after a vehicle crashed into a business on the 1500 block of East 7th Avenue in Ybor City as a result of a high-speed chase.
At approximately 12:40 a.m., Tampa Police Department Air Service observed a vehicle driving recklessly on Interstate 275. The vehicle exited at Doyle Carlton Drive and continued at high speed. The same vehicle had been observed racing on Hillsborough Avenue near 22nd Street.
At approximately 12:45 a.m., TPD and Florida Highway Patrol located the vehicle near Palm Avenue and Nebraska Avenue. FHP initiated pursuit and attempted a PIT maneuver, which was unsuccessful. The driver continued eastbound on 7th Avenue at high speed. FHP disengaged the pursuit as the vehicle approached 7th Avenue.
The driver lost control and struck a business, hitting 15 adult pedestrians outside the location.
Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene. One victim died at a hospital. One victim remains in critical condition. Eight victims are stable at local hospitals. Two victims with minor injuries declined treatment at the scene.
The driver, identified as Silas Sampson, 22-year-old Black male, date of birth May 1, 2003, was detained at the scene.
Florida Highway Patrol is the lead agency in the traffic crash investigation. The investigation remains active.
Source: Tampa Police Department
