According to NBC News, around 12:40 a.m. local time, the Tampa Police Department's air unit spotted a silver sedan speeding on the highway. Previously, the vehicle was allegedly involved in illegal street races. Florida Highway Patrol officers tried to stop the car using the PIT maneuver (which involves hitting the rear bumper to turn the car), but to no avail.
A police chase in Tampa turned into a drama. Four people are dead
When the patrol gave up the pursuit, the driver headed toward Ybor City, where he lost control of the vehicle. The man drove into a group of people gathered in front of one of the local bars. Three people died on the spot and the fourth died in hospital. The fifth victim is in critical conditioneight of the injured are hospitalized and their condition remains stable. According to CNN, two people with minor injuries refused medical treatment. All victims are adults. “What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the victims and everyone affected by this tragedy,” said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw.
How many people died in the Tampa accident?
How many people were injured?
Who caused the accident?
What charges was brought against the perpetrator?
The perpetrator turned out to be 22-year-old Silas Sampsonwho was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. He was charged with four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of eluding from the police resulting in serious injury or death. CNN reports that all are first-degree felonies.
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“Families are grieving, first responders are shaken, and the entire city is feeling this loss,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, a former police chief, wrote on social media.
