Man drives semi-trailer into strip club in Tampa, one person dies, two are injured, police say

A man who was thrown out of a Tampa strip club early Tuesday morning returned and drove a semi-trailer into the building, killing one man and injuring two others, police said.

According to a Tampa Police Department news release, police responded to a 911 call about a crash involving a truck and at least one pedestrian in the parking lot of Emperors Gentleman Club, 5718 E Adamo Drive, around 4:20 a.m.

Officers found that a semi-truck had crashed into the front area of ​​the building that leads to the entrance. Witnesses told police that the semi-truck driver had just been ejected from the club and returned with the truck and drove into a group of people standing at the entrance.

One man was killed and two other men were injured and are expected to survive, according to police. Police have not released their names.

The tractor-trailer driver was arrested and hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Police have not released his name or the criminal charges he faces.

“This is an incredibly tragic and entirely preventable incident,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a prepared statement. “We will work to bring justice to the victims and their families. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, including the innocent bystanders who witnessed this horrific ordeal.”

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.