Driver Now Charged with Murder in Double-Fatal Crash at Park Tavern
Submitted photo
Photo via Hennepin County Jail
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced Monday that Steven Frane Bailey has been charged with two counts of third-degree murder following the deaths of Kristina Folkerts and Gabe Harvey in the Sept. 1 crash at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park.
Bailey’s charges were amended after additional video evidence was reviewed.
Prosecutors allege Bailey caused the deaths “by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life,” the charges read.
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The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office did not have surveillance footage from Park Tavern at the time of the original criminal filings, although references to the video were included in police reports.
Park Tavern’s surveillance video shows Bailey driving his BMW into the nearly full parking lot after turning off Louisiana Avenue. The footage captures pedestrians and cars moving about the area, with Bailey having a clear view of the outdoor patio, filled with tables, umbrellas and numerous people, as he navigated the lot.
Bailey passed several parked cars before stopping briefly after bypassing an open parking space. He reversed his vehicle to reposition, swinging the front end toward the empty spot. But he backed up and hit a parked car behind him.
Instead of attempting to park, Bailey abruptly sped off.
Moments later, he accelerated at a high rate of speed, seemingly trying to flee. As he raced through the parking lot, a black SUV entered his path. Bailey made a slight swerve to avoid it but struck the rear of the SUV without slowing down, then continued accelerating directly toward the patio area, where there was no exit.
Bailey allegedly barreled through the lot, crossing two lanes and 11 parking spaces
He then smashed through a metal fence and plowed into the patio. His vehicle collided with several tables where people were seated, sending debris flying and injuring multiple victims, the charges say.
Without ever hitting the brakes, Bailey drove the entire length of the patio, only coming to a stop when his BMW slammed into boulders and the base of a steep hill outside the restaurant.
In addition to the third-degree murder charges, Bailey still faces two counts of Criminal Vehicular Homicide and nine counts of Criminal Vehicular Operation. The investigation is ongoing, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has requested that Park Tavern refrain from releasing the surveillance video publicly to protect the privacy of the victims and their families.
Anyone who was injured in the crash or has video or photo evidence is still urged to contact the St. Louis Park Police Department.
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Gabe Harvey
Kristina Folkerts
