Latest news with #StevenBailey
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minnesota Senate passes stricter DWI rules for repeat offenders
The Brief The Minnesota Senate passed a bill reforming DWI laws after a fatal crash at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park involving a repeat offender. The legislation extends the DWI "lookback" period from 10 to 20 years, eases ignition interlock program entry, and increases license revocation times for serious DWI offenses. The bill now awaits Governor Walz's approval. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota is set to put in place tougher laws targeting repeat DWI offenders following the deadly crash at the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park last year. What we know On Saturday, the Minnesota Senate approved a conference committee report to reform the state's DWI policies. The legislation, authored by Senator Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park), aims to prevent repeat offenders from driving under the influence. This legislation comes in response to a tragic crash at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park last September. The backstory Earlier this month, Steven Bailey pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree murder in the Park Tavern crash. Authorities said Bailey tested more than four times over the limit, with a blood-alcohol level of .325, after he crashed into the tavern's patio space in September 2024. Video showed Bailey driving his vehicle, attempting to back into a parking spot, but hitting another car. Then, as he pulled out of the spot, police say the vehicle accelerated into the patio area, where a group of Methodist Hospital workers had gathered for the night. The crash left two people dead and a dozen others hurt. Dig deeper The new bill changes the following: It extends the "lookback" period for prior offenses from ten to 20 years. The legislation modifies requirements for participation in the ignition interlock program, aiming to make it easier for individuals to enroll. It also lengthens the license revocation period for individuals who commit criminal vehicular homicide or criminal vehicular operation, particularly when the person has a prior DWI-related incident. What's next The bill now heads to Gov. Walz's desk for approval.
CBS News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
In wake of drunk driving crash at Park Tavern, Minnesota Legislature sends DWI reform bill to Gov. Tim Walz for signature
Legislation drafted in response to the drunk driving crash that killed two and injured others at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park last summer is on its way to Gov. Tim Walz's desk for signature. The proposal lengthens the amount of time repeat DWI offenders would have to use ignition interlock devices—breathalyzer that prevents an engine from starting if a person is intoxicated—to get behind the wheel. It cleared the Senate unanimously on Saturday after the House approved it Friday. "The bill has a number of provisions in it that will make the DWI interlock and driver's license revocation system in Minnesota work better for law enforcement, for drivers and for public safety, and it's most important central features will make our roads safer to drive on," said Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park. Under current law, if a driver has three DWIs in a decade's time, they will need an interlock for four years to drive on Minnesota's roads. The bipartisan bill changes it so if a person has three or more in their lifetime, the interlock device would be required for 10 years. The bill also doubles the period of time prior records would be considered for determining interlock requirements—the "lookback" period—from 10 to 20 years. Supporters believe the update will keep repeat offenders on the interlock devices for longer periods of time, minimizing the risk of them driving drunk. Steven Bailey earlier this month pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to that crash, including two counts of third-degree murder. Lawmakers have said if their proposed changes had been in effect at the time, he would have had an ignition interlock on his vehicle based on his record, which included five prior DWI convictions over 30 years. "He would've been on interlock and not able to get behind that vehicle when he killed those two members of our community," said Rep. Larry Kraft, DFL-St. Louis Park, during a news conference in March about the bill. Final passage on Saturday comes as the Legislature is racing to wrap up all of its work by the end-of-session deadline Monday. They must pass the next two-year state budget by then or they will have to go into overtime. Leaders have admitted a special session is likely inevitable given the time left and the scope of the work that is still incomplete, but it's unclear how long it will last. Walz is expected to sign the DWI reform bill into law. A veterans package and another bill making tweaks to the state's cannabis law are also on their way to Walz's desk Saturday.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Drunk-driver who killed two in 2024 crash at Park Tavern pleads guilty
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The man who was drunk behind the wheel when he crashed into the patio of the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park last summer, killing two people and injuring nine others, has pleaded guilty. After initially pleading not guilty, Steven Bailey, 56, reached a plea deal with prosecutors on Wednesday that has seen him plead guilty to two counts of 3rd-degree murder and three counts of criminal vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm. Under the terms of the deal, Bailey is facing a sentence of 25-30 years in prison. Steven BaileyHennepin County Jail The shocking crash resulted in the deaths of Park Tavern server Kristina Folkerts, 30, of St. Louis Park, and Methodist Hospital employee Gabe Harvey, 30, of Rosemount. The plea deal comes after Hennepin County Attorney's Office filed news charges against Bailey on Tuesday to account for three more people who were injured in the crash, bringing the total number injured to 12. GoFundMe Video evidence showed Bailey would've had a clear view of the patio, tables, umbrellas, and people seated outside when he pulled into the Park Tavern parking lot on the evening of Aug. 31, 2024, and as he was attempting to back into an open parking space, he struck another vehicle. Rather than parking, Bailey began to drive away and "can be seen accelerating at a high rate of speed in what appears to be an attempt to flee the scene," prosecutors said when charges were filed. While attempting to flee, Bailey struck a black SUV that was driving in the parking lot, before accelerating his vehicle through a metal fence and into the patio seating area. Mr. Bailey's BMW struck multiple occupied tables and multiple people. Bailey, who had five previous DWI convictions, gave a breath test reading of 0.325, more than four times the legal limit in Minnesota.
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.
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.
