A man in Minnesota is facing murder charges after a tragic incident where he allegedly drove his BMW X5 through a crowded restaurant patio, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to nine others. Prosecutors have now added these serious charges to his case.
A 56-year-old man named Steven Frane Bailey is currently facing charges for a crash that occurred on September 1st at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, located in the Minneapolis area. The charges include vehicular homicide and other drunk driving-related offenses. However, upon examining the surveillance footage, prosecutors decided to include two additional counts of third-degree murder. According to the probable cause arrest affidavit, these charges were added due to the individual’s reckless behavior and disregard for human life.
“After hitting the Black SUV, defendant accelerates straight past a two-lane drive in the parking lot and 11 parking spaces before plowing his vehicle through a metal fence and into the patio seating area,” detectives wrote.
According to detectives, the defendant collided with a Black SUV and then proceeded to speed through a two-lane drive and 11 parking spaces in the parking lot. Eventually, the defendant crashed through a metal fence and ended up in the patio seating area.
According to reports, Bailey reportedly struck several individuals and continued driving without stopping, even across the entire patio area. According to authorities, the driver only came to a sudden halt after colliding with two large rocks at the bottom of a steep slope.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a chaotic scene with damaged tables and chairs, scattered debris, and multiple victims. One of the victims, a woman named Kristina Marie Folkerts, was found trapped beneath the car. Due to the BMW being inoperable, law enforcement officers had to lift the car in order to extract her. Unfortunately, paramedics later declared her deceased. Another victim, Gabriel Quinn Harvey, 30, was rushed to the hospital by first responders. Unfortunately, doctors pronounced him dead.
Police officers observed that Bailey’s speech was slurred and his eyes appeared watery. According to reports, when officers informed him of their intention to carry out field sobriety tests, he reportedly responded with confidence, stating “there’s no need for fields, I’m well aware of my actions.”
According to the affidavit, his blood alcohol content level was .325, which is more than four times the legal limit of 0.08. He was escorted to the Hennepin County Jail and was notified that he would be charged with vehicular manslaughter.
On Monday, prosecutors also submitted a notice expressing their intention to pursue a more severe sentence due to Bailey’s extensive history of drunk driving, his elevated blood alcohol content, and the presence of children at the restaurant during the incident, among other factors.
Bailey is currently being held at the Hennepin County Jail with a bond set at $500,000. His court appearance is set for October 1st.
