‘4 times the legal limit’: Man charged with drink-driving crash on Park Tavern patio that killed 2, injured 9

Hennepin County District Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Tuesday the indictment against a man accused of driving a car into the patio of the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park Sunday evening, killing two people.

Steven Frane Bailey, 56, was arrested in connection with the accident.

Moriarty said Tuesday that Bailey’s preliminary blood-alcohol content was .325 — more than four times the legal limit — at the time of the crash, based on a Breathalyzer test. Court documents say a blood sample was also taken and results are pending.

He was charged Tuesday with two counts of vehicular homicide and nine counts of driving a vehicle.

Two people died in the crash, identified Monday as Methodist Church intensive care unit coordinator Gabe Harvey and Park Tavern employee Kristina Folkerts.

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While law enforcement initially reported three people were injured, Moriarty confirmed Tuesday that nine people were injured. She said additional charges could be filed if additional victims are found or come forward. If you were injured but did not report it, please contact the St. Louis Police Department.

Methodist Hospital confirmed that four of the injured were nurses.

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As previously reported, St. Louis police were called to the Park Tavern on Sunday for a report that a vehicle had driven onto the patio and hit several people.

Bailey was still in the vehicle and was the only person inside.

Folkerts was pinned under the car, according to the criminal complaint. Despite first aid, she died at the scene.

Several other people received medical attention from other restaurant patrons.

As officers approached the car, they heard Bailey talking on the phone and saying, “I hit the gas instead of the brake and I hit something right away” and “I’m probably going to jail,” court documents say.

Bailey also had slurred speech and watery, bloodshot eyes. During a field sobriety test, officers found six indicators that Bailey was impaired. They did not conduct any other tests because Bailey claimed to have had leg surgery.

After receiving the all-clear from doctors at the hospital, Bailey was taken to jail. When told he had been arrested for vehicular homicide, he reportedly said, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” and, “My life basically sucks right now, doesn’t it?”

Court documents also indicate Harvey was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Other injuries include:

• The woman suffered broken legs, a fractured pelvis, broken ribs and dislocated knees. Court documents indicate she is still unconscious and intubated.
• One of the victims suffered a head injury and lost consciousness on the way to the hospital.
• The man suffered a head injury, facial cuts and complete loss of memory about the accident and what happened before his stay in hospital.
• Several other people suffered minor injuries and bruises.

Court documents show Bailey has five prior drunk driving convictions and has had his license revoked multiple times.

Bailey’s first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Moriarty said her office is asking for bail of $1 million.