A high-speed joyride turned deadly early Saturday when a 22-year-old driver evaded cops and plowed his car straight into a crowd outside a popular gay bar in Ybor City, killing four patrons and injuring 11 more in a chaotic scene that shut down the bustling nightlife strip.

Silas Sampson, of Dade City, was slapped with four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of aggravated fleeing to elude causing serious injury after the wreck at Bradley’s on 7th around 1 a.m., cops said. More charges could be coming as the Florida Highway Patrol digs into the mess.

It all kicked off around 12:40 a.m. when Tampa Police Air Service spotted two rides tearing up Hillsborough Avenue near 22nd Street in a street race. One peeled off onto I-275 southbound alone, hitting triple-digit speeds as aerial units tracked it like hawks.

Sampson blew off the interstate at Doyle Carlton Drive, and that’s when ground units jumped in. FHP troopers tried a PIT maneuver – that bumper tap to spin a fleeing car out – near Palm and Nebraska avenues, but the guy dodged it and floored it east on 7th Avenue.

Cops called off the chase for safety as he barreled into the heart of Ybor – the historic district packed with bars and clubs – but it was too late. Sampson lost control and mowed down more than a dozen folks chilling on Bradley’s outdoor patio.

Three died right there amid the wreckage, a fourth passed at the hospital. Of the 11 hurt, one was clinging to life in critical condition, eight stable, and two with scrapes turned down treatment. All victims were adults over 20, out for a good time that ended in nightmare fuel.

“What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw told reporters at a dawn presser. “Our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted. Reckless driving put innocent lives in danger.”

He hammered it home: These folks “were out in Ybor, having a good time, expecting to go home safely. And a careless, reckless driver takes everybody’s lives in his hands and just ended this night in a situation that’s never going to be the same.”

Bradley’s on 7th, a staple in Tampa’s “GaYbor” district since 2011, bills itself as a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ crowd – drag shows, karaoke, the works. Owners were gutted: “This tragedy has struck at the heart of Tampa’s LGBTQ+ community. Bradley’s is more than just a nightclub, it is a space of celebration, love, and chosen family.”

Co-host Esme Russell dodged the bullet but was left rattled. St. Pete Pride chimed in online: “Our hearts are heavy. Many of us have shared laughter, love, and unforgettable memories at Bradley’s on 7th.”

Cops nabbed Sampson on the spot – no runaway here. Toxicology’s pending to see if booze or drugs fueled the frenzy, and FHP’s reconstructing the crash while eyeballing pursuit policies.

This ain’t Sampson’s first rodeo with speed demons; he snagged a ticket for interstate zooming just two months back.

Ybor City, the cigar-rolling hub turned party central with Latin roots, was rope-taped chaos Saturday morning. Bodies on stretchers, debris everywhere – a stark contrast to the usual weekend vibe.

Chief Bercaw vowed: “The Tampa Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol are committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families.”

As the sun rose over the taped-off 1500 block of East 7th Avenue, locals mourned a spot that’s been a safe haven for decades. No victim names yet – families still getting the knocks on doors no one wants.

Street racing’s been a headache in the Sunshine State, with crackdowns ramping up after similar wipeouts. This one’s a grim reminder: One idiot’s thrill can wipe out innocent nights forever.

FHP’s got the lead, promising updates as they piece together the black-and-white footage from choppers overhead. For now, Ybor’s reeling, and Sampson’s cooling his heels in Hillsborough County lockup.

The community’s rallying – vigils likely coming, GoFundMes popping for funerals. In a city of 400,000-plus, spots like Bradley’s are family. This hit home hard.