In a devastating incident early Saturday morning in Tampa’s Ybor City, a 22‑year‑old street racer allegedly lost control of his vehicle while evading a police chase and plowed into the patio of Bradley’s, a popular gay bar on 7th Avenue, resulting in four deaths and at least 11 injuries.
Law‑enforcement sources say the suspect was being tracked by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Tampa Police Department’s air unit for reckless driving at high speeds on I‑275. The chase descended into downtown Tampa, where the car ultimately crashed into patrons outside the bar.
Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene; a fourth died later at a hospital. At least one person remains in critical condition, and others sustained injuries of varying severity. The driver was detained at the scene and the crash is now being treated as vehicular homicide with a full investigation underway.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw described the event as “a senseless tragedy” and stressed that the reckless driving endangered innocent lives. He affirmed that local and state agencies are committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families.
The crash has shaken the local LGBTQ+ community deeply, given the location and nature of the attack, and is raising questions about street‑racing enforcement, public‑safety protocols around nightlife districts, and how vulnerable patrons can be during late‑night hours.
As the investigation continues, authorities are collecting surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses and pursuing all leads to piece together the full chain of events leading up to the deadly crash.
