FOX 13 COVERED GUEST PITCH: Ybor crash anniversary

TAMPA, FL

Hello,
I’m Abraham Albadawi, a Tampa public safety advocate leading a FOX 13–covered effort ahead of the November 8 anniversary of the Ybor City crash that killed four people. My draft amendment would raise Florida’s mandatory minimum for aggravated fleeing causing death or serious injury from three to seven years.

Stronger penalties have support from two Florida House representatives, eight sheriffs, three police chiefs, the Port Richey Police Department, two state attorneys, and a county commissioner. Representative José Alvarez’s office invited a potential sponsorship discussion and proposed a November 5 call.

The proposal has sparked a broader debate about accountability and how Florida should respond: tougher penalties for fleeing drivers or limitations on police pursuits?

While these officials unite for stronger penalties, House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell differs. In an email exchange, her office said she favored reviewing police pursuit procedures but was unsure about a new mandatory minimum. Based on that response, Driskell seems more interested in regulating police officers than holding criminals accountable.

I disagree. The PIT maneuver, performed by a certified, trained professional, was justified to stop a person treating public roads like the set of a Hollywood action film, fleeing police cars while a helicopter flies above, leaving innocent people dead in his path, a man of profound evil, reckless selfishness, and contempt for order: Silas Sampson.

Yet on October 31, another crash in Ybor City killed one person. Police said officers did not pursue the fleeing driver. Just days before the anniversary, this underscores why driver accountability remains central.

From street takeovers to fleeing drivers, who controls America’s roads—the public or reckless drivers treating them as a playground? Enough is enough.

We collectively support stronger accountability: people must answer for their actions. If you do the crime, you do the time.

FOX 13 coverage:
https://www.fox13news.com/news/usf-student-pushes-increase-penalties-after-deadly-ybor-city-crash

I can forward the email from Driskell’s office, supporting
officials’ responses, and the proposed amendment.

Several supporting officials and I are available for interviews, and I can provide documentation for an article or broadcast segment. Please forward this pitch to the appropriate editorial, booking, or production contact.

Abraham Albadawi
Mobile: +1-813-312-1085
Ab**********@***il.com