Two Polk County Residents Among Victims in Tragic Ybor City Crash That Killed Four

TAMPA, FLORIDA — Two residents of Polk County were among the four victims killed early Friday morning when a speeding car plowed into a crowd of pedestrians in Tampa’s Ybor City district.

Authorities identified the victims as Marlon Anthony Collins, 54, of Bartow, and Lisa Sherell “Shalisa” Johnson, 41, of Winter Haven. Both were among several pedestrians struck when a fleeing driver lost control and crashed along Seventh Avenue near Bradley’s on 7th.

Driver Charged After High-Speed Crash

According to the Florida Highway Patrol and Tampa Police, the suspect — Silas Sampson, 22 — was being pursued before the collision. He allegedly attempted to evade officers and was fleeing at high speed when his car veered off the road and slammed into a crowd outside the busy nightlife area.

Authorities said the pursuit had been called off moments before the impact, but Sampson continued driving recklessly, killing four people and injuring several others.

Sampson now faces multiple felony charges, including:

• Vehicular Homicide
• Aggravated Fleeing to Elude with Serious Bodily Injury or Death

Remembering the Victims

Friends and family described Marlon Collins as a hardworking, community-minded man who had moved from Chicago to Bartow roughly 15 years ago. Collins worked as a bail bondsman, studied computer programming, and was pursuing a private investigator’s license.

“He was the epitome of a man,” said Katrina Overstreet, a close friend. “Loved his kids. Loved his community. Would do anything for his community.”

Collins lived with sickle cell disease, a lifelong condition he managed with resilience and discipline.

“You don’t see many live that long with it,” Overstreet added. “He took such good care of himself.”

Collins leaves behind a son and daughter.

A Mother Remembered

Lisa “Shalisa” Johnson was remembered as a devoted mother of three — two teenage sons and an 11-year-old daughter. According to a GoFundMe campaign launched by her family titled “Support for Funeral for a Beloved Mother,” Johnson was leaving an event in Ybor City when she was struck and killed.

“She was a beautiful soul who was loved deeply,” the campaign description read. “Her life was taken far too soon.”

Family members said Johnson did not have insurance and are now raising funds to cover funeral expenses. Donations can be made through GoFundMe or through her son’s account at @pluggbanbs on social media.

Community in Mourning

The crash also left four others critically injured and at least 13 people hurt in total, according to Tampa police. The tragedy has left both Ybor City and Polk County residents reeling as loved ones gather to honor those lost.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the crash, while friends and family prepare to say goodbye to two cherished community members who, in the words of one relative, “lit up every room they entered.”

Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and the entire Polk County community.

Stay with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com for continuing updates on this case.