The man charged in last year's deadly drunk driving crash at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park has pleaded guilty, six days before a trial was scheduled to begin.
56-year old Steven Bailey appeared in court Wednesday morning where he pleaded guilty to numerous charges including to two counts of third-degree murder and three counts of criminal vehicular operation.
Park Tavern employee Kristina Folkerts was killed along with Methodist Hospital employee Gabe Harvey last September. 12 others were injured after Bailey drove into the patio at the popular bar, restaurant and bowling alley.
"I wish he had made different choices," said Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. "There's nothing, even though we're going to get a lengthy prison term here, it's not going to bring loved ones back or undo the tremendous injuries that happen to people."
Prosecutors said Bailey's blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit after the crash. He'd been convicted of driving while intoxicated five other times.
Bailey did admit to drinking vodka leading up to the crash. He struck several cars in the Park Tavern parking lot, then intending to flee before police were called, accelerated to 40 miles-per-hour driving through the fence and into the patio area.
Moriarty says the incident was completely avoidable.
"We are not always able to pursue 3rd degree murder charges when people cause death using their vehicle, but in this case, the facts clearly supported it," Moriarty explained.
Bailey be sentenced July 28 and faces up to 30 years in prison as part of the plea deal.
Since the crash, several lawmakers began pushing for more stringent DUI laws. Last week the Minnesota House passed legislation hoping to keep repeat offenders from driving while intoxicated.
Sponsored by Rep. Larry Kraft (DFL-St. Louis Park), the bill would alter several requirements for repeat offenders, including increasing the use of ignition interlock systems, a sort of built-in breathalyzer that won’t allow the vehicle to start unless you pass a breath test. Last Thursday, the House passed the bill 123-5 and sent it to the Senate.