Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty in Deadly Park Tavern Drunken Driving Crash

In a grisly twist of fate, Steven Bailey, 56-year-old Minnesota man, entered a guilty plea to charges arising from a gruesome drunk driving accident at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park. The accident occurred on September 1, 2024 and claimed the lives of two innocent victims and left many others injured. Bailey’s Wednesday morning guilty plea not only gave closure to months of courtroom battling but also placed in stark relief the pressing need for more anti-drunk driving legislation in Minnesota.

Bailey’s plea came after the accident that claimed the lives of 30-year-old Kristina Folkerts, a server at Park Tavern, and Gabe Harvey, an employee at Methodist Hospital. Twelve people suffered injury in the accident, with five of them sustaining serious injuries. Bailey had 16 criminal charges against her, including multiple counts of criminal vehicular operation, when she initially pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree murder and three counts of criminal vehicular operation.

Bailey’s actions on that day had consequences on the community. Bailey, who was driving a BMW X5, initially crashed into a stationary vehicle while reversing into a parking space at Park Tavern. But the day did not improve. Bailey collided with a oncoming SUV before driving at 45 mph and running through a metal fence encasing the patio where victims were sitting.

Witnesses and responding officers informed police that Bailey had admitted he made a fatal mistake. On a phone call made shortly after the accident, Bailey was described by investigators as stating, “I hit the gas instead of the brake and went right through a thing” and “I’m f***ed,” the complaint read. His blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit, a surprising find that set the standard on just how serious the accident was.

Bailey’s drinking and driving background was the cause of the tragedy. The complaint also said that Bailey had five prior DWI convictions, spaced out over almost two decades, the first case dating back to 1985. His last DWI conviction was in 2014. Despite his history, Bailey was still allowed to drive on the highways when the crash occurred, having had an ignition interlock device – a breath-testing system meant to prevent a car from being started if alcohol is detected installed in his vehicle for six years. But this device had already expired in 2020.

Minnesota lawmakers made significant strides toward addressing drunk driving issues following the accident. On the same day Bailey entered a guilty plea to the charge, the Minnesota Senate considered a bill that would tighten DWI law. Under the proposed bill, repeat offenders would spend more time operating ignition interlock devices. Now, those with three DWIs in a ten-year timeframe must utilize the device for four years. The new legislation would raise this to 10 years for three or more DWIs over the course of one’s life.

The bill also raises the look-back period from 20 years to 20 years for prior DWI convictions, so more offenders will have to have interlock devices installed. The bill, already receiving wide bipartisan support in the House, is likely to be signed into law by Governor Tim Walz during the legislative session. As per the author of the bill, State Senator Ron Latz, this bill would aim against serial offenders like Bailey, who has a 30-plus-year criminal history. St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamed expressed that the shock of the accident still lingers in the community.

The tragic loss of two young lives left an indelible mark on the memories of the people of St. Louis Park and surrounding communities. The bill’s proposed changes are considered a significant step toward preventing similar tragedies from unfolding in the future, such as the one that took place at Park Tavern. Mohamed and others expect the reforms to lower the number of drunk drivers, ultimately making Minnesota roads safer for everyone. While Bailey may face 30 years in prison, the consequences of the crash will be felt by the victim’s family and friends for decades. Gabe Harvey and Kristina Folkerts’ devastation cannot be quantified in dollars and cents, and the lives of other individuals who were injured in the accident are permanently altered.

Bailey’s restitution to the victims that he will be required to pay is only part of the justice system’s effort to punish him for what he did. Bailey’s plea of guilty is an effort at justice to the victims and their families. But the case is also a reminder of the dangers of drunk driving and their consequences. It is clear that tougher laws and their enforcement are required in a bid to ensure that such tragedies never occur again. The Minnesota Legislature’s proposed reforms are what are needed in addressing the rampant epidemic of drunken driving, especially among repeat offenders. While Bailey awaits July 28 sentencing, the community mourns the loss of two lives. The Park Tavern smash was a piece of stupidity, maybe, but the pain and loss that followed will endure forever. This is a case to remind us, a salutary reminder, of the importance of safe driving, and of the necessity now for stricter controls to protect the lives of users of the roads.