WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: A speeding car fleeing police ploughed into a crowd outside a bar in Florida, killing four people and injuring 11, in a horrifying incident
An eyewitness has described the horror of seeing bodies sent flying “everywhere” after a speeding driver ploughed into a crowd outside a bar. Four people died in the horror incident and 11 others were left injured at a Florida bar called Bradley’s.
The silver Toyota Camry was spotted driving dangerously on a motorway in Florida at approximately 12.40am local time on Saturday following street racing in another neighbourhood. Florida Highway Patrol officers pursued the car and attempted to nudge the rear wing to make the vehicle spin out, but this proved unsuccessful.
Highway patrol officers “disengaged” as the car raced towards historic Ybor City in Tampa, police confirmed. It was at this location that the driver lost control and struck more than a dozen people outside Bradley’s.
Three people died at the scene, whilst a fourth person died at hospital. Two people were admitted to hospital in critical condition, seven were listed as stable, and two had been treated and discharged, police confirmed.
There were also two people who sustained minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene, reports the Express.
Witness Howard Hopkins told FOX 13 Tampa Bay that the car struck a kerb before smashing into the bar. He said: “Tables went everywhere, chairs went everywhere, bodies went everywhere. It was pretty bad.”
The suspect has been identified as 22-year-old Silas Sampson, who is being held at the Hillsborough County Jail. He has been charged with four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of aggravated fleeing or eluding with serious bodily injury or death.
In a statement, Police Chief Lee Bercaw declared: “What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy. Our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted. Reckless driving put innocent lives in danger.”
He added: “They were out in Ybor having a good time, expecting to go home safely, and a careless, reckless driver takes everybody’s lives in his hands and just ended this night in a situation that’s never going to be the same for these individuals.”
Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant Steve Gaskins claims cops had “backed off” their pursuit of Sampson before the deadly crash.
Mayor Jane Castor confirmed that the investigation is still underway, adding, “Our entire city feels this loss”.
The owners of Bradley’s said their “hearts are broken” following the tragedy.
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