Trucker texted 'I’m going to prison for vehicular manslaughter' before plowing into group outside club: TPD

One dead, two injured after man drives into strip club

FOX 13's Kylie Jones reports.

TAMPA, Fla. - Moments before plowing into a group of people outside a Tampa strip club Tuesday morning, police say the driver sent a text message to a friend saying, "Goodbye. I'm going to prison for vehicular manslaughter." Court documents released Thursday say 25-year-old Dylan Fogle admitted to being the driver of the truck, but claimed the accelerator got stuck.

Police said they responded at around 4:19 a.m. to the parking lot of the Emperors Gentlemen’s Club at 5718 Adamo Drive. They arrived to find the truck had crashed into the northern edge of the parking lot near the club's loading dock area.

Witnesses told police the driver had just been kicked out of the club after complaints of inappropriate behavior. Police say Fogle then went to his semi where he tried calling a childhood friend six times, before ultimately sending her a "goodbye" text, stating that he was going to prison for vehicular manslaughter. Court documents say after sending the text, Fogle drove the truck toward a group of people standing at the entrance.

READ: Man plows semi-truck into Tampa gentleman's club after getting kicked out, leaving 1 dead, 2 injured: Police

Six people, including the three victims, were standing near the club's loading dock when it was struck, according to TPD. Giovanni Soto was killed in the crash, and two other men sustained serious injuries but have since been released from the hospital.

Police say multiple witnesses identified Fogle as the driver. Court documents say police observed him stumbling around the parking lot before they detained him. They said his eyes were bloodshot and his breath smelled like alcohol. Fogle was taken to Tampa General Hospital for treatment of injuries he received in the crash. Fogle's blood alcohol content was above the .08 legal limit.

Man drives into strip club killing one, injuring two

FOX 13's Kylie Jones reports from Tampa.

According to the State Attorney's office, Fogle admitted to being the driver of the truck, but claimed the accelerator got stuck and he could not stop the truck. Court documents say that when police asked Fogle why he didn't try to steer away from the group, he could not provide a valid answer and that when asked why he sent the text message saying he was "going to prison for vehicular manslaughter," he could not provide a response, other than stating he was intoxicated.

Fogle is now in the Orient Road Jail on charges of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, DUI with serious bodily injury, DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide. He'll be in court Monday for a pre-trial detention hearing. The state is requesting he be held without bond.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: