The co-owner of the popular Blue Plate Group restaurants in the Twin Cities was killed in a weekend traffic crash in Wisconsin.
Officials say David Burley died Sunday in a motorcycle crash on Interstate 94 westbound in St. Croix County.
All Blue Plate restaurants are closed Monday in remembrance of Burley, who opened the spots after working with his ex-wife Stephanie Shimp in the 1990's.
In a statement, Shimp says Burley's death is heartbreaking.
“My heart is absolutely broken by the devastating news of David’s passing," Shimp says. "Losing him so suddenly is overwhelming - a painful shock that has left me and our entire Blue Plate family grieving a loss too deep for words. David’s passion and kindness were the foundation of everything we built together. We will profoundly miss his spirit, energy, and irreplaceable presence."
At approximately 2:48 Sunday afternoon, the Wisconsin State Patrol along with the Hudson Police Department responded to a car versus motorcycle crash. Preliminary investigation indicates the car was in the right lane and attempted to overtake traffic by using the right shoulder when it struck a guardrail causing it to veer back into the right lane where it collided with a motorcycle.
Both the car and motorcycle traveled across the roadway and impacted the median concrete barrier. The motorcycle operator was transported to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the car was also transported to an area hospital with non-life threating injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol.
Among the restaurants in the chain are Groveland Tap, Longfellow Grill, the Lowry, and the Blue Barn at the Minnesota State Fair.