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Ybor crash victims file lawsuits against police, FHP
Two survivors of the deadly Ybor City crash last year are now suing the driver, Florida Highway Patrol and the Tampa Police Department. The driver plowed into a crowd of people outside Bradley's on 7th following a high-speed chase on I-275 last November. The crash killed four people and injured more than 20 others. FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer reports.
TAMPA, Fla. - Two survivors of the deadly Ybor City crash are suing the driver who slammed into a crowd outside Bradley's on Seventh, along with the Florida Highway Patrol, Tampa Police Department and the bar.
Attorneys for Camaron Parker and Kilani England argue the driver, identified as Silas Sampson, is responsible for the injuries their clients suffered.
But the lawsuit also alleges FHP, TPD and Bradley's share responsibility for what happened the night of Nov. 8, 2025.
Lawsuit names driver and agencies
The backstory:
The lawsuit accuses both Tampa Police and FHP of failing to act safely in their tracking and pursuit of the vehicle.
According to the lawsuit and the events described by law enforcement, Tampa Police tracked Sampson from the air after officers believed he was street racing on Interstate 275.
TPD officers did not pursue the vehicle because of department policy.
An FHP trooper then began pursuing the car and attempted a PIT maneuver to stop it. The maneuver was unsuccessful. The trooper later backed off as the vehicle approached Seventh Avenue in Ybor City. Seconds later, the vehicle crashed into people gathered on the patio outside Bradley's on Seventh.
The crash killed four people and injured more than 20 others.
The lawsuit also alleges Bradley's on Seventh failed to maintain a safe environment for customers who were seated close to the roadway.
The plaintiffs argue the business should have installed protective barriers to shield patrons from traffic.
Legal expert weighs agency claims
What they're saying:
Tampa attorney and legal expert Anthony Rickman said the plaintiffs could have a more difficult time establishing liability against Tampa Police because of the department's pursuit policy.
"Tampa Police had a policy in place that said they were not to engage in pursuits that did not involve forcible felonies. In this particular case, there was no forcible felony. They didn't engage in a high-speed pursuit," Rickman said.
The lawsuit takes a different view of FHP's role, arguing the trooper's actions contributed to a chain of events that ended with the crash.
"What the plaintiffs are going to argue is that the pursuit started because of highway patrol, that pit maneuvers unsuccessful and basically the chain reaction of the unsuccessful pit maneuver, the start of the pursuit all led to that vehicle entering Ybor City ultimately crashing, injuring and killing the people outside," Rickman said.
Rickman said the outcome of the case involving Bradley's could have broader implications for other businesses with outdoor seating near roads.
A ruling finding the business responsible could lead other establishments to consider changes to the way outdoor seating areas are protected, he said.
Official response to allegations
The other side:
The agencies named in the lawsuit have standing practices of declining to comment on pending legal cases.
Bradley's on Seventh was also contacted for comment, but did not respond.
The Source: Information for this story came from court documents connected to the companion lawsuits, an interview with Tampa attorney Anthony Rickman and previous reporting on the Ybor City crash.