In a despicable incident that has shaken the community of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced on Tuesday that charges have been filed against Steven Bailey, the driver responsible for a devastating crash that took place at the Park Tavern on Sunday night. The collision tragically claimed the lives of two individuals, including a tavern employee, and left nine others injured. Bailey now faces two counts of criminal vehicular homicide and nine counts of criminal vehicular operation for his reckless actions.

During a news conference held on Tuesday afternoon, Attorney Moriarty revealed that at the time of the crash, Bailey, 56, had a blood-alcohol level of .325 - a staggering four times the legal limit to drive in Minnesota. Expressing her dismay, Moriarty emphasized, "This did not have to happen. In a time where we have more options than ever to ensure a safe ride home, Mr. Bailey made the choice to get behind the wheel of his vehicle while highly intoxicated and dramatically alter the lives of so many people."

The victims who tragically lost their lives in the crash were identified as Kristina Folkerts, a Park Tavern server, and Gabe Harvey, a health unit coordinator at Methodist Hospital. Several others, including Methodist employees, sustained severe injuries and are still struggling to recover, according to Attorney Moriarty.

Moriarty stated, "They deserved better. Nothing can change what happened on Sunday, but we can and will hold people accountable when they choose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated and kill and injure people." The details in the criminal complaint revealed that when officers approached Bailey's vehicle after the crash, they overheard him admitting, "I hit the gas instead of the brake and went right through a thing," and "I'm probably going to jail."

Shockingly, court records show that Bailey had been convicted of no less than five previous drunk driving offenses throughout his lifetime, highlighting a persistent pattern of dangerous behavior. His certified driving record, obtained by KARE 11 News, divulged that Bailey's first drunk driving conviction occurred in Wisconsin in 1985 when he was just 17 years old. His most recent DWI conviction took place in Hennepin County in June 2014, when Bailey was 46.

Bailey's driving privileges have been subjected to restrictions throughout his adult life, as evidenced by records from Minnesota's Driver and Vehicle Services division. His license was initially revoked after his first three DWIs, and subsequently canceled following his fourth drunk driving arrest in Waseca County in January 2013. However, a plea deal struck by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office in January 2015 resulted in the cancellation charge being dropped, with an ignition interlock device being installed in Bailey's vehicle instead.

Despite a period of clean driving following the plea deal, Bailey's troubles resurfaced in September 2019 when the ignition interlock device recorded a violation, prompting the cancellation of his driver's license once again. Nevertheless, Bailey successfully appealed the decision in court, claiming that the device was faulty, which a judge agreed upon after reviewing the sworn testimony. Notably, no further driving or alcohol-related charges were leveled against Bailey until the tragic events of Sunday night.

Currently, Bailey is detained in the Hennepin County Jail awaiting further legal proceedings. The charges he faces carry severe penalties, reflecting the gravity of his actions that led to the loss of innocent lives and caused immense pain to the victims' families, friends, and the entire St. Louis Park community.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from driving under the influence. It reinforces the importance of responsible decisions and utilizing the numerous alternatives available for a safe ride home. The community now awaits justice as the legal process unfolds, hoping that this case will send a powerful message against drunk driving and prevent similar tragedies in the future.