VIEWERS SHAKEN AS DAVID MUIR STEPS AWAY FROM ‘WORLD NEWS TONIGHT,’ WITH LINSEY DAVIS LEADING COVERAGE OF DEADLY TAMPA STREET-RACING TRAGEDY

ABC News viewers were met with an unexpected shift on Sunday evening when Linsey Davis appeared at the “World News Tonight” anchor desk in place of longtime host David Muir. The anchor, who has become one of the most recognizable faces in American journalism, stepped away from the show temporarily as he celebrated his 52nd birthday. Though Muir’s absence was brief and scheduled, the shift created a wave of emotional reaction from fans, particularly as Davis took the helm during one of the weekend’s most harrowing breaking stories.

That story — a deadly street-racing crash in Tampa, Florida — dominated the broadcast. Davis, a seasoned ABC journalist known for her steady, authoritative presence, delivered the grim update with the calm precision for which she is widely respected. Reporting live from the studio, she opened the segment with solemn clarity: “Tragedy in Tampa, Florida. Four people were killed and 11 others injured after an alleged street racer lost control of his vehicle.”

The crash occurred early Saturday morning when, according to authorities, a driver involved in an illegal street race veered off the road and barreled into a crowd gathered outside a busy bar in Tampa’s Ybor City district, a well-known nightlife hub. The impact was catastrophic, scattering debris, overturning tables, and sending dozens scrambling for safety. Surveillance footage later released by police captured the suspect speeding alongside another vehicle moments before the collision.

Davis informed viewers that the driver was apprehended by police shortly after the incident. Authorities say he is now facing multiple charges, including vehicular homicide. The second car involved in the street race is still being tracked down by investigators.

The segment’s emotional weight heightened the sense of disruption for loyal viewers, many of whom had already taken to social media earlier in the day to express surprise at Muir’s sudden absence. The anchor, during Friday’s broadcast, had signed off with what fans described as a “bombshell four-word message” before stepping away: a simple, cryptic, “More soon — stay safe.” Though the remark was not connected to his temporary departure, it fueled immediate speculation online.

But Davis remained focused on the unfolding tragedy. After delivering the initial summary, she handed the segment to ABC correspondent Andrew Dymburt, who was on the ground in Tampa. His report opened with a stark reflection of the community’s heartbreak. “Tonight, tragedy in Tampa, Florida. A community in mourning. A driver slamming into a crowd of people in Ybor City, a popular nightlife district, early Saturday morning, killing four and injuring more than a dozen others.”

Dymburt detailed the chaotic early-morning scene, describing how survivors rushed to pull victims from the street and how nearby patrons attempted CPR until paramedics arrived. Witnesses told ABC that the crash sounded “like an explosion,” shaking the surrounding block. One resident reported hearing screams echo through the alleyways behind the district’s bars and restaurants.

City officials held a brief press conference earlier in the day, vowing full transparency as the investigation continues. “What happened here is unacceptable,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said. “These reckless racing events have no place in our city, and our department is committed to holding those responsible fully accountable.”

In the studio, Davis emphasized the human toll behind the statistics — a point frequently underscored by Muir in his own broadcasts. Photos of the victims began emerging online, revealing a mix of local residents, service industry workers, and out-of-town visitors who had gathered for what was supposed to be a safe night out.

The tragedy also reignited conversations about illegal street racing, a problem Florida has been battling for several years. Recent legislation increased penalties for offenders, but critics argue that enforcement remains inconsistent. Community leaders called the crash “a preventable nightmare” and urged city officials to expand patrols in popular nightlife areas.

Meanwhile, ABC confirmed that Muir will return to the anchor desk in the coming days, reassuring viewers who flooded comment sections with concern and sympathy. Many wished the journalist a happy birthday while acknowledging that Davis executed the broadcast with professionalism and composure during an especially difficult night.

As investigations continue in Tampa, authorities are urging any witnesses or individuals with video evidence to come forward. The accident has left the Ybor community shaken, mourning, and demanding change. And on a night when viewers expected a routine newscast, the absence of one familiar face and the presence of another underscored the unpredictability of both live news and life itself.