Heartfelt Candlelight Vigil Unites Community in Tribute to Ybor City Crash Victims

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A touching candlelight vigil took place Saturday evening on East Seventh Avenue in Tampa, paying tribute to those who lost their lives and those injured in a tragic overnight crash.

Among the survivors, Richard Atwell reflected on the sudden turmoil of the event.

“Everything seemed perfectly normal until it was shattered by a massive explosion,” Atwell recounted. “You’re always on alert when you’re out, but nothing can truly prepare you for a car appearing out of nowhere.”

In an initial report, authorities detailed that the incident occurred around 12:40 a.m., when Tampa Police air units observed two cars racing west on Hillsborough Avenue towards Interstate 275.

As the chase continued, one vehicle headed south on I-275 and exited downtown, where the Florida Highway Patrol attempted a pit maneuver, but it did not succeed.

The vehicle then sped down East Seventh Avenue and crashed near Bradley’s, striking more than a dozen people outside.

Three of the victims died at the scene, and a fourth died at the hospital.

Officials confirm a total of 13 people were injured.

Others were treated at local hospitals, with two remaining in critical condition and several others in stable condition. All victims were over 20 years old.

Atwell had just come from the hospital when he spoke with 8 On Your Side.

“My whole right leg is busted up. This is literally how close he got to me.”

“My other friend was, like, laying down, sitting down on the ground, his, you know, his rib was broken, and you couldn’t kind of, like, get up and, like, move around a lot.”

Saturday evening’s vigil was organized by Pride of Tampa.

“We need to come together as a community and show that we are one and so that we can heal,” said Daniel Johnson of Pride of Tampa.

City leaders also addressed the need to make East Seventh Street safer.

“We’ve had incidents down here before. We’ve had many community meetings, and we’ll continue that process,” said Tampa City Council Chairman Alan Clendenin. “I know the chief of police is actively looking at the mayor will be involved as well, and the city council will be engaged in that discussion.”

Atwell also shared a message of connection and compassion with those gathered.

“If you guys are out here tonight and you don’t know the person who’s standing next to you, you know, hug them. Shake their hand. You never know what can happen, you literally never know what can happen next.”

Survivors and city leaders noted the swift response from the community and said they were not surprised by the turnout, describing Tampa as a loving city.