At least four people are dead and 11 others are injured after a car plowed into pedestrians in Florida.

At least four people are dead and 11 others are injured after a car plowed into pedestrians in Florida.

TAMPA, Fla. — A night of laughter and celebration in Tampa’s historic Ybor City district turned into unimaginable tragedy early Saturday morning when a speeding vehicle plowed into a crowd of pedestrians, leaving at least four people dead and 11 others injured. The horrific scene unfolded shortly after 12:40 a.m., when authorities say a car, reportedly fleeing police, careened out of control and crashed into a busy sidewalk outside a popular bar and restaurant area.

According to the Tampa Police Department, the driver — identified as 22-year-old Silas Sampson — was driving recklessly along Interstate 275 before exiting onto U.S. Highway 41 and entering downtown Tampa. Witnesses say the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, weaving dangerously through traffic before barreling into the pedestrian-heavy 1500 block of East 7th Avenue in Ybor City, a historic entertainment district filled with nightlife venues, restaurants, and late-night crowds.

In seconds, chaos erupted. Witnesses described the moment as “like an explosion” as the car crashed through tables, chairs, and people gathered outside. “There was screaming, glass breaking, people running everywhere,” said one eyewitness who was dining nearby. “It happened so fast — one second we were laughing, the next, there were people on the ground.”

Emergency responders arrived within minutes to a scene of devastation. First responders and bystanders immediately began performing CPR and offering aid to the injured as police cordoned off the area. Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while a fourth later died at a local hospital.

At least 11 others were transported to area hospitals, including Tampa General Hospital, with injuries ranging from broken bones to severe head trauma. One person remains in critical condition, while others are reported to be stable.

Following an extensive search, authorities confirmed that Sampson was apprehended and taken into custody. He now faces four counts of vehicular homicide and multiple counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding with serious bodily injury or death.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw called the crash “a senseless and preventable tragedy.”

“This incident should never have happened,” Bercaw said during a press briefing. “Reckless driving and disregard for life cost four people their futures tonight. Our hearts go out to their families, the injured, and everyone affected by this horrific event.”

Investigators said the crash occurred shortly after law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle for suspected reckless driving. The Florida Highway Patrol briefly pursued the car but backed off due to safety concerns. Moments later, the vehicle struck the crowd in Ybor City. Authorities are now reviewing pursuit footage and surveillance videos from nearby businesses to determine exactly how the sequence of events unfolded.

The victims’ identities have not yet been released pending family notification, but police confirmed that all were adults. Witnesses said the victims included locals and out-of-town visitors enjoying a Friday night in one of Tampa’s most popular districts.

Outside the crash site, a makeshift memorial began to grow throughout the day. Bouquets of flowers, candles, and handwritten messages covered the sidewalk as mourners gathered to pay their respects. Some wept openly, while others stood silently in disbelief.

“This could’ve been any of us,” said one Ybor City resident. “People come here to have fun, to relax, and now four lives are gone. It’s just heartbreaking.”

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor also expressed condolences and outrage, calling for stronger measures to address reckless driving and prevent similar tragedies.

“Four families will never be the same because of one person’s reckless choices,” Castor said. “We have to do more to keep our streets safe and ensure accountability for those who endanger innocent lives.”

The Ybor City community, known for its resilience and close-knit spirit, is coming together to support victims’ families and survivors. Several local organizations and churches have announced plans to hold candlelight vigils and fundraisers in the coming days.

Healthcare workers at Tampa General Hospital, where many of the injured were taken, described the aftermath as “overwhelming.” One nurse said, “It was nonstop — patients coming in one after another, some in critical shape. Everyone in the ER felt the weight of what happened.”

Authorities have since reopened parts of East 7th Avenue, though the exact crash site remains blocked off for investigation. Forensic teams spent hours reconstructing the scene, collecting debris and vehicle fragments to better understand the impact’s force and trajectory.

As the investigation continues, questions loom about what caused the driver to flee and whether drugs, alcohol, or other factors played a role. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and State Attorney’s Office are assisting with the case.

For many in Tampa, the tragedy feels all too familiar — another painful reminder of the deadly consequences of reckless and impaired driving.

“This was not just an accident,” said local activist Maria Gonzalez, who advocates for traffic safety. “This was a choice — a choice to drive dangerously, to ignore the safety of others. And that choice took four beautiful lives.”

As families mourn and the city grapples with grief, the community is left searching for comfort and answers. For now, four lives are gone, eleven others are hurt, and a city once filled with weekend joy is left shaken and heartbroken.

“We’ll never forget this night,” said a local business owner, looking out at the flowers and candles along the sidewalk. “But maybe — just maybe — we can make sure something like this never happens again.”