2 Dead In Tampa Hit-And-Run Crash

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Police Department has announced the arrest of a 35-year-old man in connection with a Sunday night hit and run that killed two people, including the mother of a 3-year-old child.

According to police, Michael Wimbley, 28, and Tyronda Sampson, 23, both of Tampa, were heading east on East Lake Avenue around 11:23 p.m. Jan. 15. As the two entered the intersection of North 34th Street, their vehicle was struck by a 2003 Infinity driven by Rico Taylor of Tampa, an email from the agency said.

Police say the force of the impact thrust the two vehicles into a third car that was stopped on 34th Street waiting to turn left.

“The two victims (Wimbley and Sampson) were killed instantly as a result of the impact,” the email said. “The driver of the Infinity exited his vehicle and fled the scene on foot.”

Police were able to capture the man a short distance from the scene.

Sampson’s 3-year-old child was in the vehicle at the time of the crash, police noted. The child was properly restrained and was not injured. The people in the third vehicle have not been identified. Police say they suffered minor injuries.

Taylor has been charged with two counts of leaving the scene of a traffic crash involving death. He also faces driving while license suspended charges.

“Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in this crash,” the agency added. Additional charges are pending the outcome of blood alcohol content tests.

No further information is available at this time.

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