Florida news: 4 dead as car rams into pedestrians in Tampa's Ybor City; 22-year-old Silas Sampson arrested
Four people were killed and 11 others injured after a car being chased by police officials for racing crashed into a business in Tampa's Ybor City. The alleged perpetrator has been arrested.
Four people were killed and 11 others injured when a vehicle plowed into them on Saturday in the Ybor City neighbourhod of Tampa, Florida.
The driver, a 22-year-old from Dade City, has been arrested, as per Fox13 News.
The publication spoke to Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaws, who said that the events began unfolding at 12:30 am on Saturday after two vehicles were spotted racing each other by officials near Tampa's Hanna and Nebraska Avenues. The vehicles were moving towards Hillsborough Avenue in the west.
The Tampa administration later issued a statement in which Chief Bercaw said, “What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy, our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted,” adding, “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.”
The statement also revealed that one other person is currently admitted in a hospital in critical condition.
After one of the vehicles exited downtown by driving onto I-275 Southbound, the TDP's air unit managed to track it.
The Florida Highway Patrol joined the chase and followed the car to Nebraska Avenue and Palm Avenue. They intended on attempting a pit manoeuvre here.
Following this, the vehicle went down the busy 7th Avenue when it crashed into a business near 15th Street, hitting people who were standing outside.
Among the deceased, three died on the spot while one succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital, as per Fox13 News. All victims are over 20 years of age, as per Chief Bercaw.
The 7th Avenue, between 15th and 18th Streets, has been closed off for investigations. They will be reopened soon, as per investigators who spoke to local media.
Florida has been seeing an increase in cases of illegal racing in recent times, following which the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) issued measures to crack down on the same.
State troopers have been empowered to arrest individuals even without warrants if there is reason to believe they have been indulging in ilegal car racing activities, as per a blog post by law firm Darrigo & Diaz.