TAMPA, Fla — The city of Tampa is mourning the tragic loss of four lives, including Sherman Jones, following a devastating crash in Ybor City early Saturday morning. Thirteen others were injured in what authorities describe as one of the most heartbreaking incidents to strike the community in recent years.
According to investigators, Silas Sampson, 22, was fleeing from law enforcement in a silver 2019 Toyota Camry when he lost control near the busy entertainment district. Around 12:46 a.m., the car sped down 7th Avenue, struck another vehicle, and careened onto the crowded sidewalk near Copper Shaker, slamming into the outdoor seating area of Bradley’s bar.
The impact was catastrophic — four people were killed instantly, and more than a dozen others were left injured, some critically. Among those who lost their lives was Sherman Jones, remembered by loved ones as a kind, gentle, and joyful soul who radiated warmth wherever he went.
Friends and family describe Sherman as someone who loved deeply and lived fully — a man whose smile could brighten any room and whose heart was filled with compassion. He brought laughter, kindness, and light to all who knew him. His passing leaves a void that can never be filled, but his memory will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched.
As prosecutors seek to hold Sampson without bond, the community continues to come together in mourning and remembrance. Flowers, candles, and prayers now line the streets of Ybor City, a small but powerful tribute to those whose lives were cut short far too soon.
While justice will take time, the love and unity that have risen from this tragedy remind us of the strength found in compassion and remembrance.
Sherman Jones will forever be remembered not for the way he left this world, but for the beautiful way he lived — with kindness, humility, and a heart full of love. May his soul, and the souls of all the victims, rest in eternal peace.