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TAMPA, Fla. — A 22-year-old street racer fleeing police plowed his vehicle into a crowded patio bar in Tampa's vibrant Ybor City district early Saturday, killing four patrons and injuring 13 others in a chaotic scene that has left the community reeling from what authorities called a preventable act of recklessness.
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Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw described the incident as a "senseless tragedy" that shattered a night of celebration along the historic Seventh Avenue nightlife strip. "Reckless driving put innocent lives in danger," Bercaw said in a statement. "Our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted."
The sequence of events unfolded rapidly in the predawn hours of Nov. 8. Around 12:40 a.m., Tampa Police Department's air unit spotted a silver Toyota Camry driving erratically on Interstate 275, shortly after the same vehicle had been observed street racing alongside another car on Hillsborough Avenue near 22nd Street. The driver, identified as Silas Kenneth Sampson of Dade City, exited the interstate at Doyle Carlton Drive and sped into downtown Ybor City, weaving through traffic at high speeds.
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Florida Highway Patrol troopers joined the pursuit near Nebraska Avenue and Palm Avenue, attempting a Precision Immobilization Technique, or PIT maneuver, to force the Camry to spin out. The tactic failed, and as the chase reached the bustling 1500 block of East Seventh Avenue, authorities disengaged to avoid endangering bystanders. Moments later, at approximately 12:45 a.m., Sampson lost control, veered onto the sidewalk and slammed into the outdoor seating area of Bradley's on 7th, a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub packed with patrons enjoying the weekend vibe.
The impact hurled metal tables and chairs into the air, scattering more than a dozen people seated outside. Surveillance footage released by police captured the Camry hurtling through the crowd in a blur, followed by screams and the screech of tires. Eyewitnesses recounted the horror in interviews with local media. "It was like a nightmare unfolding right in front of us," said Maria Gonzalez, 28, who was sipping a drink nearby when the car barreled past. "People were flying everywhere—chairs flipping, glass shattering. I just grabbed my friend and ran." Another patron, Jamal Rivera, 35, described the immediate aftermath: "The patio looked like a war zone. Folks were trapped under the wreckage, crying for help. It was pure chaos, but strangers jumped in to pull people out and apply pressure to wounds until paramedics arrived."
According to wtsp.com, dead are
Lisa Johnson, 41
Sherman Jones, 53
Marlon Collins, 54
Christina Richards, 25
Their deaths prompted vigils along Seventh Avenue that evening, where hundreds lit candles and placed flowers outside Bradley's, now cordoned off with yellow tape. "This was our safe space," said bar co-owner Tyler Hayes, his voice breaking during a press conference. "These weren't just customers—they were family. We're heartbroken but committed to reopening stronger, in their honor."
Among the injured, two remained in critical condition as of Tuesday at Tampa General Hospital, with seven others stable and four treated and released. First responders from Tampa Fire Rescue triaged victims on-site amid the debris-strewn patio.
Sampson, born May 1, 2003, was detained at the scene without resistance and booked into Hillsborough County Jail. He faces eight first-degree felony counts: four of vehicular homicide and four of aggravated fleeing or eluding that resulted in serious bodily injury or death. Additional charges, including DUI manslaughter if toxicology reports confirm impairment, are pending as the Florida Highway Patrol leads the investigation. Court records show Sampson has no prior listed attorney; his bond hearing is scheduled for Friday.
The crash has ignited fury over street racing in Tampa, where illegal "takeovers" have surged in recent years. Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa's first female police chief before her election, vowed tougher enforcement. "Our entire city feels this loss," she posted on social media. "We're working tirelessly for answers and justice." Community leaders, including representatives from local homosexual advocacy groups, decried the incident as a stark reminder of vulnerabilities in nightlife districts. Online backlash erupted after Sampson's family posted a "free my brother" message on social media, drawing widespread condemnation as insensitive amid the grief.
As investigators comb through dashcam and bystander videos, Ybor City's resilient spirit shines through. "We'll heal together," Gonzalez said at Sunday's vigil. "But no one should ever feel this fear again."
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