In Tampa, Florida, the community gathered for a candlelight vigil on Saturday evening along East Seventh Avenue to pay tribute to the victims of a tragic overnight accident. The incident, which claimed several lives and left others injured, took place in the early hours of Saturday.

Among the survivors, Richard Atwell recounted the sudden chaos that unfolded. “It all went from being completely normal to an explosive situation,” Atwell described. “You always try to stay alert when you’re out, but nothing prepares you for a vehicle appearing out of nowhere.”

In earlier reports, authorities detailed that the crash occurred around 12:40 a.m. It began when air units from the Tampa Police Department observed two cars racing westbound on Hillsborough Avenue heading towards Interstate 275.

Authorities said the crash began around 12:40 a.m. when Tampa Police air units spotted two vehicles racing westbound on Hillsborough Avenue toward Interstate 275. 

One vehicle continued south on I-275, exiting downtown, where the Florida Highway Patrol attempted a pit maneuver that was unsuccessful. 

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.