Executive Summary
- Silas Sampson, 22, the driver accused in the fatal Ybor City crash, was ordered by a judge to be held without bond pending trial.
- The crash, which occurred during a police pursuit, resulted in the deaths of four people and injuries to at least 13 others.
- Sampson faces multiple charges, including four counts of vehicular homicide, with more possible pending a toxicology report.
- The incident has sparked a wider debate in Tampa concerning pedestrian safety and police pursuit policies in crowded urban areas.
A Hillsborough County judge has ordered that Silas Sampson, the 22-year-old driver accused in a fatal weekend crash in Tampa’s Ybor City, will remain in jail without bond while awaiting trial. The ruling was made by Circuit Chief Judge Christopher Sabella during a court hearing Thursday morning. The crash resulted in the deaths of four pedestrians and left at least 13 others injured.
The incident occurred after midnight on Saturday when Sampson was allegedly fleeing from the Florida Highway Patrol. Authorities report he was traveling at approximately 77 mph on 7th Avenue when his vehicle veered onto the sidewalk, striking a group of pedestrians before crashing into the patio of the Bradley’s On 7th nightclub. The four individuals killed were identified as Lisa Sherell Johnson, 41; Marlon Anthony Collins, 53; Sherman Jones, 53; and Christina Maria Richards, 25.
Sampson is currently facing a range of charges, including four counts of vehicular homicide and multiple counts of aggravated fleeing to elude. The Florida Highway Patrol has also filed charges of reckless driving with serious bodily injury. According to a criminal affidavit, troopers suspected Sampson was under the influence of alcohol at the scene, and additional charges could be filed pending the results of a toxicology report.
The crash has intensified a public debate regarding safety protocols in the popular entertainment district and the policies governing high-speed police pursuits. Community members have called for increased safety measures, such as pedestrianizing 7th Avenue on weekends. A Florida Highway Patrol trooper had attempted a PIT maneuver to stop Sampson’s vehicle shortly before the crash but was unsuccessful. In a statement, the FHP asserted that its troopers followed policy and that the responsibility for the tragedy rests with the suspect’s actions.
No date has been set for Sampson’s next court appearance. It is important to note that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.