A man named Steven Frane Bailey, with a history of driving under the influence, has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide after crashing his car into an outdoor patio of a Minnesota restaurant, where a group of medical professionals were celebrating. The incident resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to nine others. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty stated that Bailey faces two counts of criminal vehicular homicide for intoxication and negligence, and nine counts of criminal vehicular injury. There may be additional charges if more victims are identified.
Among the deceased were a 30-year-old mother of three who worked as a server at the Park Tavern and a medical staffer from a nearby hospital who was highly esteemed by his colleagues. The tragic event, where Bailey mistakenly pressed the gas pedal instead of the brakes, has left the Minneapolis suburb in shock. Moriarty emphasized that the incident could have been entirely preventable if Bailey had chosen not to drive while intoxicated.
Surveillance footage showed Bailey hitting a parked car before accelerating into the patio area, crashing through a fence and hitting several individuals, including the two victims. Kristina Folkerts, the server, was trapped under Bailey’s car and passed away at the scene, while Gabe Harvey, a hospital employee, was hit and later pronounced dead at a medical facility. Tables, chairs, and other items were scattered around the scene of the crash.
Bailey’s blood alcohol level was found to be four times the legal limit, as per a preliminary breath sample. Court records reveal previous convictions for driving while intoxicated in 2014 and 2015. Among the injured were four nurses from Methodist Hospital, where Harvey worked. The hospital and Park Tavern have a longstanding relationship, supporting each other during difficult times.
Harvey, remembered as a dedicated worker and compassionate individual, was celebrating with colleagues on the night of the incident. The Park Tavern, described as a family-friendly establishment, announced plans to partially reopen. Kristina Folkerts, who had a special connection to the restaurant, is survived by her three daughters. St. Louis Park authorities expressed their condolences and support for the community in the aftermath of the tragedy.
