Four dead, 11 more injured in Ybor City car crash, police pursuit
(November 8, 2025) A 22-year-old Florida driver fleeing from police in a high-speed chase crashed his vehicle into a crowd of people gathered outside the popular Bradley’s Bar early this morning, killing four pedestrians, and seriously injuring 11 more. Police in Tampa are currently investigating the deadly crash that went down in the 1500 block of East 7th Avenue in Ybor.
Ybor City is a historic neighborhood located just northeast of downtown Tampa, within the city limits of Tampa in Hillsborough County. The driver of that vehicle has been identified as 22-year-old Silas Sampson.
“What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy, our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “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.”
Background: Around 12:40 a.m., the Tampa Police Department (TPD) Air Service was monitoring a car driving recklessly on I-275. According to police, the driver continued to drive recklessly at a high rate of speed and exited the Interstate at Doyle Carlton Drive. The same vehicle had previously been seen street racing on Hillsborough Avenue near 22nd Street.
As Air Service continued to monitor the vehicle, around 12:45 a.m., TPD and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) located the vehicle in the area of Palm Avenue and Nebraska Avenue. FHP initiated a pursuit and attempted an unsuccessful PIT maneuver as the driver continued to travel at a high rate of speed toward Nebraska Avenue continuing eastbound on 7th Avenue. FHP disengaged from the chase as the driver approached 7th Avenue.
The driver. Silas Sampson, continued at a high rate of speed and lost control and crashed into Bradley’s Bar, hitting more than a dozen people who were outside.
Three victims died at the scene. A fourth victim died at the hospital. A fifth victim is hospitalized in critical condition, and eight additional victims are being treated at local hospitals but are currently listed as stable. Two other victims with minor injuries declined treatment on scene. All 15 victims are adults.
Following his arrest after the fatal crash, Silas Sampson was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. As of this writing, there is no verifiable booking photo of him.
The Florida Highway Patrol is taking the lead in the traffic crash investigation which is still active and ongoing. For more on the deadly crash, see the video accompanying this article.
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(Source: Tampa Police Department)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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