Car Fleeing Police Crashes into Florida Bar, Killing Four and Injuring Eleven
A high-speed car chase in Tampa, Florida, results in a fatal crash at a crowded bar.
Early Saturday morning, a silver sedan fleeing from police officers crashed into Bradley's on 7th, a popular bar located in the historic district of Tampa, Florida.
The incident occurred around 12:40 AM when the vehicle was initially spotted by an air patrol unit for reckless driving and street racing.
Despite attempts to perform a PIT maneuver, the car managed to evade the Florida Highway Patrol.
It ultimately lost control while heading towards Ybor City near downtown, striking over a dozen people outside the bar.
Three fatalities were confirmed at the scene, with a fourth individual succumbing to their injuries in the hospital.
As of Saturday afternoon, two people remained hospitalized in critical condition, seven were listed as stable, and two had been discharged following treatment for minor injuries.
Two more individuals sustained only minor injuries but declined medical assistance.
The suspect, 22-year-old Silas Sampson, was apprehended and charged with four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of aggravated fleeing or eluding with serious bodily injury or death, all first-degree felonies.
Sampson is currently being held at the Hillsborough County Jail, with no attorney listed to speak on his behalf.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor expressed her condolences to the victims' families and the affected community, emphasizing that the incident was a senseless tragedy.
She also mentioned that the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
Recent studies funded by the US Department of Justice have recommended limiting high-speed car chases due to their potential dangers, especially following a rise in fatalities.
Despite these findings, Florida's highway patrol has relaxed restrictions on such pursuits and PIT maneuvers, which are classified as 'high-risk' tactics according to the research.
The incident occurred around 12:40 AM when the vehicle was initially spotted by an air patrol unit for reckless driving and street racing.
Despite attempts to perform a PIT maneuver, the car managed to evade the Florida Highway Patrol.
It ultimately lost control while heading towards Ybor City near downtown, striking over a dozen people outside the bar.
Three fatalities were confirmed at the scene, with a fourth individual succumbing to their injuries in the hospital.
As of Saturday afternoon, two people remained hospitalized in critical condition, seven were listed as stable, and two had been discharged following treatment for minor injuries.
Two more individuals sustained only minor injuries but declined medical assistance.
The suspect, 22-year-old Silas Sampson, was apprehended and charged with four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of aggravated fleeing or eluding with serious bodily injury or death, all first-degree felonies.
Sampson is currently being held at the Hillsborough County Jail, with no attorney listed to speak on his behalf.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor expressed her condolences to the victims' families and the affected community, emphasizing that the incident was a senseless tragedy.
She also mentioned that the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
Recent studies funded by the US Department of Justice have recommended limiting high-speed car chases due to their potential dangers, especially following a rise in fatalities.
Despite these findings, Florida's highway patrol has relaxed restrictions on such pursuits and PIT maneuvers, which are classified as 'high-risk' tactics according to the research.
