The Tampa Police Department said that a Florida man is facing eight felony charges after four people died in a crash in Ybor early Saturday morning.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said that it started at around 12:40 a.m. Police air units (helicopters) saw two vehicles racing westbound on Hillsborough Avenue heading toward Interstate 275. At the highway, one vehicle exited to the downtown area, and the Florida Highway Patrol attempted a traffic stop but was unsuccessful. The Florida Highway Patrol even attempted a PIT maneuver, which was also unsuccessful.
The Tampa Police Department said in a news release that the car crashed into a business in Ybor, a neighborhood in Tampa, early on Saturday, Nov. 8, plowing into fifteen people who were outside, killing several.
Driver Lost Control, Plowing Into Innocent Victims
The Tampa Police Dept. said, “At around 12:40 a.m., the TPD Air Service was monitoring a vehicle driving recklessly on I-275. The driver continued to drive recklessly at a high rate of speed and exited the interstate at Doyle Carlton Drive,”
Authorities say that the driver “lost control” of the car and crashed into a store. Several people were hit. According to court records, the repeat offender, Sampson, got a ticket for speeding in Hillsborough County less than two months ago. The complaint said he was driving 99 mph on Interstate 75, which has a speed limit of 70 mph.
Tampa Police Department Says 15 People Were Affected By The Deadly Crash
According to the police, three of the victims died at the scene, and a fourth died at the hospital.
One of the injured victims is in critical condition right now. However, eight others are in stable condition in the hospital. The TPD said that two other victims were hurt but not seriously.
Police arrested the suspect, 22-year-old Silas Sampson, at the scene. He is facing four felony charges of vehicular homicide and four felony charges of aggravated fleeing with serious bodily injury.
The Tampa Police Department said that the Florida Highway Patrol is now in charge of looking into the crash.
What do you think about this reckless driver who was cited 2 months before this tragic accident? Leave your thoughts about this horrific event in the comments below. Come back to TV Shows Ace for all of your spoilers and news updates.
Mandy Robinson has been a freelance writer for 10 years now. Her passion is writing reality television. Mandy loves being able to work at home and make a living by writing about crazy reality television scandals.