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4 Dead, 11 Injured After Street-Racing Suspect Drives Into Ybor City Crowd

Florida Highway Patrol now leads the case with vehicular homicide charges planned.

Overview

  • Police air units spotted two vehicles street racing around 12:30–12:40 a.m., tracking one onto I-275 and into downtown Tampa.
  • Troopers attempted a traffic stop and a PIT maneuver at Nebraska and Palm but disengaged as the driver continued toward Ybor City.
  • The car sped down 7th Avenue and crashed into a business east of 15th Street, striking a group of pedestrians outside.
  • Three victims died at the scene and a fourth at a hospital, with one person in critical condition and others treated in stable condition; all victims are adults over 20.
  • The driver, identified as 22-year-old Silas Sampson, was arrested at the scene as FHP leads an active investigation and says additional felony charges are pending; parts of 7th Avenue were closed during the response with reopening underway.