Ybor City crash victim thanks first responders

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]Six months ago, he nearly lost his life when investigators say a driver speeding away from Florida Highway Patrol slammed into a crowd of people in Ybor City. And now for the first time, that survivor is publicly thanking the first responders and the medical team who saved his life.

[00:00:16]Today, Connor Dietrich and his family joined doctors at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa for a news conference. And our Fox 13's Eric Mesmer was there and brings us his story. It's an emotional day for Connor Dietrich. Just 6 months ago, he survived a massive accident in Ybor City that killed four people and injured more than a dozen others. Today, he got to meet the people who saved his life.

[00:00:38]This family can't help but smile. It's hard not to when so many people use the same word >> I mean, he's a miracle. He's a walking, talking miracle. to describe Connor Dietrich. I've been told many times that I'm kind of a walking miracle.

[00:00:50]>> Doctors weren't sure whether Connor would ever walk, talk, or even wake up again. He was in this Ybor City crowd last November when a car careened into the group outside Bradley's on 7th. Four people were killed. Connor, his brother, and their friend were among the 13 others who were hurt but survived. I remember hearing what sounded like like tires squeaking or something like that, and I turned around and I kind of cursed cuz I saw a car coming, but that's the only thing I remember. That all after that is all black. Florida Highway Patrol says the driver, Silas Samson, reached speeds over 90 mph as he fled troopers on I-275 before exiting toward Ybor. The crash left Connor with a traumatic brain injury. Doctors prepared his parents for the worst. When you walk in and it's your own kid, there's no preparing for that. He had a very severe brain injury, and for a few days, we we had the discussions that he may not recover. Connor eventually woke up at St. Joseph's Hospital where he continues his recovery 6 months later. On Tuesday, for the first time since the accident, his family returned to the hospital to publicly thank paramedics, doctors, and the medical team that helped save his life. The moment coincided with National Trauma Survivors Day. And I'm emotional.

[00:02:05]You know, you try not to be, but you just are.

[00:02:08]Um because I got my son, and I didn't think I'd have him. Connor's trauma surgeon says his progress has been remarkable.

[00:02:15]>> You develop an attachment to people. I mean, I you get to know them really, really well. So, yeah, it's really refreshing to see somebody come back and and have recovered in such a short period of time. And he still has more surgeries and medical procedures in his future, but Connor approaches that long road to full health with a renewed strength every day. Every time I do what they're telling me to do, I see the progress and I can see my I can feel myself getting better. Connor says this incident had such an impact on his life, he now wants to have hands-on experience as a paramedic himself and eventually as a physician's assistant. In Tampa, Aaron Mesmer, Fox 13 News.