A suspect is in custody after police say he lost control of a car and crashed into a bar patio in Tampa’s Ybor City early Saturday morning, killing four people and leaving 11 others injured.
Silas Sampson, 22, was detained at the scene after the fatal crash into Bradley’s on 7th, the Tampa Police Department (TPD) said in a press release, adding that the vehicle involved “had previously been observed street racing” and the TPD’s air service was monitoring the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Newsweek reached out to TPD and Bradley’s on 7th by email Saturday morning for further comment.
Why It Matters
The fatal crash has reignited concerns about street racing and reckless driving on public roads, especially in entertainment districts.
The incident’s location—a crowded outdoor bar patio—underscores ongoing debates over public safety, law enforcement pursuit policies, and the balance between deterring dangerous driving while protecting bystanders.
What To Know
At approximately 12:45 a.m., officers said they observed a car racing at high speeds on I-275 after previously being seen “street racing” on Hillsborough Avenue near 22nd Street.
Surveillance by the Tampa Police Air Service and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Air Service documented the vehicle’s movements before it exited the interstate at Doyle Carlton Drive. Police and FHP then attempted to intercept the car, including an unsuccessful attempt at a PIT maneuver as it exited near Palm Avenue and Nebraska Avenue.
Officers stopped the pursuit for safety reasons as the car approached 7th Avenue. Moments later, the suspect lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the outdoor patio section of Bradley’s on 7th, injuring people assembled there.
According to the TPD’s press release, three victims died at the scene, while a fourth succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Among the 11 others injured, one remains in critical condition, eight are stable, and two declined hospitalization due to minor injuries.
While the identities of the victims have not yet been released by authorities, the victims were all adults.
“They were out in Ybor, having a good time, expecting to go home safely,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw told Spectrum News. “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.”
What People Are Saying
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a press release issued Saturday: “What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy, our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted. Reckless driving put innocent lives in danger. The Tampa Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol are committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families.”
What Happens Next?
The crash remains under active investigation by the FHP as officials work to reconstruct the events and review pursuit protocols.
Police have not confirmed whether alcohol, controlled substances, or other factors contributed to the crash as toxicology results were pending at the time of reporting.
Sampson is expected to be formally charged with multiple counts of vehicular homicide and additional felonies, Spectrum News reported.
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