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Associated Press
07-05-2025
- Associated Press
Drunken driver who plowed into Minnesota restaurant patio, killing 2, pleads guilty to murder
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man who was driving drunk when he crashed into a patio at a popular Minnesota restaurant, killing two people and injuring nine others, pleaded guilty to murder and other charges Wednesday. Under the terms of his plea deal, Steven Frane Bailey, 56, of the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park, agreed to a sentence of 25 to 30 years. His sentencing is scheduled for July 28. Prosecutors say Bailey already had five drunken driving convictions on his record but got his license back before he drove into the crowded patio at the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park on Sept. 1. His blood-alcohol level was more than four times the legal limit. Bailey pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree murder in the deaths of restaurant employee Kristina Folkerts and hospital worker Gabe Harvey, as well as three counts of criminal vehicular operation. He admitted in court that he knew he was drunk when he drove to the tavern. He tried to flee after striking another vehicle while trying to park, he acknowledged, but plowed into the patio instead. The incident prompted calls for stricter drunken driving laws. The Minnesota Senate on Wednesday voted unanimously for a bill that includes stricter license revocation rules for people with multiple drunken driving convictions, and measures to encourage the use of ignition interlock devices. The bill now goes to a conference committee to resolve minor differences with a version that passed the House last week.
The Independent
07-05-2025
- The Independent
Drunken driver who plowed into Minnesota restaurant patio, killing 2, pleads guilty to murder
A man who was driving drunk when he crashed into a patio at a popular Minnesota restaurant, killing two people and injuring nine others, pleaded guilty to murder and other charges Wednesday. Under the terms of his plea deal, Steven Frane Bailey, 56, of the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park, agreed to a sentence of 25 to 30 years. His sentencing is scheduled for July 28. Prosecutors say Bailey already had five drunken driving convictions on his record but got his license back before he drove into the crowded patio at the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park on Sept. 1. His blood-alcohol level was more than four times the legal limit. Bailey pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree murder in the deaths of restaurant employee Kristina Folkerts and hospital worker Gabe Harvey, as well as three counts of criminal vehicular operation. He admitted in court that he knew he was drunk when he drove to the tavern. He tried to flee after striking another vehicle while trying to park, he acknowledged, but plowed into the patio instead. The incident prompted calls for stricter drunken driving laws. The Minnesota Senate on Wednesday voted unanimously for a bill that includes stricter license revocation rules for people with multiple drunken driving convictions, and measures to encourage the use of ignition interlock devices. The bill now goes to a conference committee to resolve minor differences with a version that passed the House last week.
CBS News
07-05-2025
- CBS News
Man charged in deadly Park Tavern DWI crash pleads guilty
Why the suspected drunk driver in the Park Tavern fatal crash is facing additional charges Why the suspected drunk driver in the Park Tavern fatal crash is facing additional charges Why the suspected drunk driver in the Park Tavern fatal crash is facing additional charges Steven Bailey, the Minnesota man charged in last year's deadly drunken driving crash at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, pleaded guilty to multiple charges on Wednesday morning. Bailey, 56, is accused of plowing into more than a dozen people on Park Tavern's patio on Sept. 1, 2024, killing server Kristina Folkerts and Methodist Hospital employee Gabe Harvey. Both victims were 30 years old. Twelve others were hurt, with five suffering serious injuries. He was originally charged with 16 criminal counts, including three charges added earlier this week. Steven Bailey HCAO On Wednesday, he pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree murder and three counts of criminal vehicular operation. He must also pay restitution for all victims. Bailey is expected to face up to 30 years in prison. His sentencing date has not been scheduled. According to the criminal complaint filed last year in Hennepin County, Bailey, of St. Louis Park, first struck a parked vehicle while backing his BMW X5 into a spot in Park Tavern's lot. Bailey then struck an oncoming SUV before accelerating up to 45 mph and smashing through the patio's metal fence, the complaint states. Kristina Folkerts and Gabe Harvey GoFundMe Officers at the scene say they overheard Bailey tell someone in a phone call that he "hit the gas instead of the brake and went right through a thing," and, "I'm f***ed," according to the complaint. Bailey, whose blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit after the crash, has five prior convictions for driving while intoxicated, with the first case in 1985 and the last case in 2014, the complaint states. Court records show he had an ignition interlock device — a breathalyzer system that prevents a car from starting if alcohol is detected on a driver's breath — on his vehicle for six years, which expired in 2020. Last week, Minnesota lawmakers introduced a bill that aims to strengthen DWI laws, particularly around the use of ignition interlock devices. NOTE: The original airdate of the video attached to this article is May 4, 2025.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
In wake of deadly Park Tavern crash, lawmakers propose tougher DWI laws
Two state lawmakers are proposing a bipartisan bill that would crack down on repeat drunk drivers — a response to last summer's horrific Park Tavern Restaurant crash in St. Louis Park. The August 31 incident, in which 56-year-old Steven Bailey — who already had a criminal record for drunk driving, with five previous DWIs — crashed into the restaurant's patio, killing two people and injuring nine others. Those killed were Park Tavern server Kristina Folkerts, 30, of St. Louis Park, and Methodist Hospital employee Gabe Harvey, 30, of Rosemount. Bailey was found to be four times over the legal limit at the time of the crash. On Friday, Representative Larry Kraft and Senator Ron Latz, two DFLers whose respective districts include St. Louis Park, announced the new legislation in a press conference at Park Tavern. The bill, which will soon be introduced in the legislature, would do the following if approved, according to a news release: Significantly increase the amount of time drivers with multiple offenses are required to be on ignition interlock — a breathalyzer device connected to a car's ignition Remove obstacles for offenders to use ignition interlock systems, encouraging more to sign up for the program Double the lookback period for DWI, meaning DWI convictions would stay on an offender's record for 20 years instead of the current 10 in Minnesota; this, in turn, would allow prosecutors to argue for enhanced penalties against repeat drunk drivers 'Since this tragedy, it has been a top priority of mine to try and stop people who have a recurring problem with drinking and driving from killing or injuring Minnesotans," said Rep. Kraft in a statement. "This bipartisan legislation is focused on improving public safety and is a critical step toward prevention and safer roads for everyone.' 'A tragedy like the one we saw last September should never happen again in any community in Minnesota. This bill takes meaningful action that will help keep recurring offenders from getting behind the wheel when they're inebriated,' said Senator Latz. 'This proposal will have an immediate, positive impact on our state, and I believe it will help save lives.' The release notes that the legislation is being proposed "together with workers, advocates, and family members of victims." The lawmakers say the bill is expected to receive hearings "in the coming week," in committees of both the state House and Senate. You can watch the full press conference below:
