Two people are dead and a suspect is in custody after an overnight hit-and-run crash in Tampa. 

  • 2 dead in Tampa hit-and-run crash
  • Child, 3, survived crash
  • TPD: Man, 35, arrested and charged after running red light, causing crash and leaving scene

Officers said 35-year-old Rico Taylor was speeding when he ran the red light and drove through an intersection, colliding into a maroon Chevrolet sedan. 

Two of the occupants of the Chevy, Michael Wimbly, 28, and Tyronda Sampson, 24, were killed instantly in the crash.

Sampson lived in a Temple Terrace Duplex with her brothers. Her neighbors say they remember her fondly. 

"It's very sad because she was a good girl. She didn't bother nobody. She's been here for a while. She took care of her baby," said neighbor Shirley Barnes. "She was a good neighbor. She's going to be missed out here. Very respectful girl." 

Barnes also mentioned how distraught Sampson's brother is. "He's real sad. He can't hardly talk today," she said. 

Sampson's 3-year-old son survived the crash with no injuries. The child was securely strapped in an infant seat.

"If there's one positive message that really comes out of a very horrendous tragic situation which this crash is is the fact a 3-year-old child survived with absolutely no injuries for the sole reason that he was properly restrained in a car seat," said TPD Lt. Ricardo Unitas. "The two other occupants of that very same vehicle were killed instantly."

Police said Taylor, who lives near the crash scene, was found on foot walking toward his home. Police were able to match a shoe found at the scene of the crash to Taylor. 

Taylor is facing charges of leaving the scene of a deadly crash and driving on a suspended license.  

According to Tampa police, the crash happened at N. 34th Street and E. Lake Avenue Sunday at 11:30 p.m. 

Alcohol and speed are believed to be factors in the crash, police said. The force of the collision pushed the Chevy into a third car. The occupant of that vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Taylor is being held at the Orient Road jail on a $30,000 bond. Records show this was Taylor's 9th arrest since 2001. He served more than three years in prison for grand theft and possession of cocaine. 

The crash remains under investigation.