A speeding car fleeing police slammed into a crowded bar early Saturday, killing four people and injuring 11 in a historic district of Tampa, Florida, known for its nightlife and tourists.
An air patrol unit noticed the silver sedan driving recklessly on a freeway around 12:40 a.m. after it was seen street racing in another neighborhood, according to the Tampa Police Department.
The Florida Highway Patrol attempted a PIT maneuver, designed to stop a vehicle by spinning it out of control, but was unsuccessful. The pursuit ended as the driver sped into Ybor City and veered out of control, crashing into over a dozen patrons outside Bradley's on 7th.
Three people died at the crash site, while another succumbed to injuries at a local hospital. As of Saturday afternoon, two individuals remained in critical condition, while others were stable or had been treated and released.
Police Chief Lee Bercaw condemned the incident as a senseless tragedy and expressed condolences to the victims' families.
The suspect has been identified as Silas Sampson, 22, who was arrested and charged with four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of aggravated fleeing, all felonies. No lawyer was readily available to comment on his behalf.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor stated the city's profound loss and emphasized the active investigation into the incident.
Recent years have seen discussions around the necessity of restricting high-speed chases in light of rising fatalities, with a study advocating for less frequent chases given their dangers.
