Tampa has lowered speeds and added barriers on Seventh Avenue. The Florida Highway Patrol has not said whether it changed its chase rules.
By Joseph Jackson | TAMPA (Nov. 8, 2026)
The short version
A year ago today, a driver fleeing Florida Highway Patrol troopers crashed into the patio at Bradley's on 7th, killing four people.
A vigil is set for 6 p.m. tonight at Centennial Park in Ybor City.
Families and advocates will ask FHP to narrow when troopers can start high-speed chases.
What happened
In the early morning of Nov. 8, 2025, troopers tried to stop a driver who refused to pull over, leading to a high-speed chase into Ybor City. Troopers ended the pursuit, but the driver kept going down Seventh Avenue, lost control near 15th Street, hit another vehicle and drove into the outdoor patio at Bradley's on 7th, FOX 13 reported.
Four people were killed. Reports have put the number injured between 11 and 20.
The driver, Silas Sampson, 22, is in jail awaiting trial on nearly 60 charges, according to FOX 13. One charge, fleeing police at high speed and causing serious injury or death, carries a mandatory minimum of three years in prison in Florida. He has not been convicted, and the charges are accusations.
What has changed
The City of Tampa has:
Lowered the speed limit on Seventh Avenue from 30 mph to 25 mph.
Added more four-way stops and bollards to protect sidewalks.
Narrowed some streets by adding on-street parking.
Continued re-bricking Seventh Avenue to slow traffic.
Tampa police have increased patrols, reviewed their own pursuit policy and now coordinate radio traffic with FHP through the Tampa Police communications center, FOX 13 reported. Earlier coverage also noted changes on Nebraska Avenue.
The Florida Highway Patrol, which started the chase, has not confirmed whether it changed its pursuit policies.
Tonight's vigil
Family members, safety advocates and neighbors will gather at 6 p.m. at Centennial Park to remember the victims. The family of Sherman Jones, one of the four killed, has asked people to wear Superman-themed clothing in his honor.
Advocates plan to share a Change.org petition, "Pursue Justice: Safety on the Roads Is Our Right," asking FHP to limit when troopers can begin high-speed chases.
FMNN will update this story if the Florida Highway Patrol says whether its pursuit policy has changed since the crash.
Sources
FOX 13, Ybor City marks one year since deadly crash — https://www.fox13news.com/news/ybor-city-marks-one-year-since-deadly-crash-safety-changes-continue
FOX 13 via Yahoo News, full report — https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ybor-city-marks-one-since-043928519.html
FOX 13, Tampa pedestrian safety improvements — https://www.fox13news.com/news/tampa-rolls-out-new-pedestrian-safety-improvements-ybor-city-after-deadly-crash