Four Killed Following Police Pursuit in Tampa's Ybor City

Eleven people were injured and four died after a vehicle pursuit was called off and the speeding vehicle hit a Tampa business.

Nov. 8, 2025

2 min read

Chris Tisch
Tampa Bay Times
(TNS)

Four people were killed and 11 more were injured after a police pursuit of a speeding driver ended with a crash in Ybor City early Saturday morning, Tampa police reported.

Tampa police said the incident started about 12:40 a.m. when a police unit in the air began watching a vehicle that was being driven recklessly on Interstate 275. Police believe the vehicle also had been racing on Hillsborough Avenue near 22nd Street.

“The driver continued to drive recklessly at a high rate of speed and exited the interstate at Doyle Carlton Drive,” police said in a news release.

Tampa police and troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol found the vehicle in the area of Palm and Nebraska avenues. The highway patrol “initiated a pursuit,” according to the Tampa police news release.

Troopers then tried to stop the driver with a PIT maneuver but it didn’t work.

The driver “continued to travel at a high rate of speed toward Nebraska Avenue continuing eastbound on 7th Avenue,” the news release states.

“FHP disengaged as the driver approached 7th Avenue. The driver continued at a high rate of speed and lost control and crashed into a business, hitting more than a dozen people who were outside,” the news release states.

Police said three people died at the scene and a fourth died at a hospital.

Police said another person is in critical condition. Eight more people were taken to local hospitals and are in stable condition. Two other victims declined treatment at the scene, police said.

Police said all the victims are adults.

Tampa police identified the driver as Silas Sampson, 22. No information about potential charges was released as of early Saturday morning.

Police said the highway patrol is the lead investigating agency.

“What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy, our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted,” Tampa police Chief Lee Bercaw said in the news release. “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.”