In a shocking incident that unfolded over the Labor Day weekend, a man has been charged with multiple counts of vehicular homicide and operation after crashing his SUV into a crowded bar patio in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. The crash resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left nine others injured. The accused, Steven Frane Bailey, 56, appeared in court on Tuesday and remains in custody on a $1 million bail.

The devastating collision occurred at Park Tavern at around 8 p.m. on Sunday, tragically claiming the lives of 30-year-old Kristina Marie Folkerts, an employee at the establishment, and Gabriel Quinn Harvey, a 30-year-old nursing school student and health unit coordinator at a nearby hospital. Bailey now faces two counts of criminal vehicular homicide along with nine counts of criminal vehicular operation for the injuries caused to others at the scene.

According to law enforcement, a preliminary breath test conducted at the HCMC (Hennepin County Medical Center) revealed that Bailey had a blood alcohol content of 0.325%, more than four times the legal limit for driving in Minnesota. This alarming level of intoxication has prompted county attorney Mary Moriarty to label the incident as "totally preventable" and highlight the importance of making responsible choices regarding transportation.

The criminal complaint sheds light on the events leading up to the crash. Surveillance footage shows Bailey pulling into the tavern's parking lot, attempting to park in an empty space, but hitting a parked car in the process. He then reversed his vehicle and accelerated towards the patio, crashing through the metal fence and colliding with several people. Witnesses estimate that Bailey was traveling at speeds of 30 to 45 miles per hour as he plowed through the patio area, causing chaos and destruction.

Emergency responders acted quickly to free Folkerts, who was pinned under Bailey's vehicle, but sadly, their efforts were in vain as she succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Harvey was pronounced dead at the HCMC. Four nurses from Methodist Hospital, who were at Park Tavern to celebrate a colleague's departure, were also among the injured. Laura Knutsen, Tegan D'Albani, and Theo Larson suffered severe injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at HCMC and other hospitals.

Bailey's history of driving under the influence has come to light during the investigation. He has previously been convicted of drunken driving in 2014 and 2015, with blood alcohol content measurements well above the legal limit on both occasions. This prior behavior adds another layer of concern to the tragedy, as it raises questions about the adequacy of the system in preventing repeat offenses.

As the community mourns the loss of two lives and prays for the swift recovery of the injured victims, Park Tavern has remained closed since the accident. The owner has expressed plans to reopen on Wednesday and has assured that a memorial and fundraising event in honor of the crash victims will be held at a later date. Additionally, a memorial tree will be planted as a lasting tribute to those affected by this horrific incident.

Law enforcement is urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information, such as videos or photos, to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. The St. Louis Park Police Department can be reached at (952) 924-2165, where individuals can leave their full name, contact details, and connection to the incident for the investigators to follow up.

As this shocking incident raises questions about the importance of responsible drinking and the need for stronger measures to prevent drunk driving, the St. Louis Park community stands united in grief, while seeking justice for the victims and hoping for a safer future.