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Four Dead, 11 Hurt as Police Pursuit Ends in Crash Outside Tampa Bar

Investigators are reviewing pursuit tactics following a failed PIT attempt.

Overview

  • Tampa police identified the driver as 22-year-old Silas Sampson, who was arrested and booked into the Hillsborough County Jail.
  • Sampson faces four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of aggravated fleeing causing serious injury or death, all first-degree felonies.
  • An air unit spotted a silver sedan driving recklessly around 12:40 a.m. after reports of street racing, and Florida Highway Patrol attempted a PIT maneuver before disengaging.
  • The vehicle later struck a crowd outside Bradley’s on the 1500 block of E 7th Avenue in Ybor City; police confirmed no shots were fired.
  • Authorities report four fatalities and 11 injured adults being treated at local hospitals, while city leaders offer condolences and say the investigation remains active.