In a Minneapolis suburb on Sunday, a man crashed his car into a restaurant patio where a group of medical professionals were celebrating, killing two and wounding at least four, according to police and hospital officials.
Video showed a man driving into the Park Tavern’s patio outside in St. Louis Park, a city just west of Minneapolis.
The police did not identify this man. On Sunday night, the man can be seen in the video entering the restaurant’s parking lot but leaving without going inside. According to the authorities, he tried to park before driving into the patio outside.
Criminal vehicular homicide led to the driver’s arrest. The police did not provide any more information on a possible reason. They omitted the victims’ identities as well.
However, Annelise Heitkamp, a spokesman at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, stated in a written statement on Monday that one of the deceased and the four injured were employees of the hospital.
“Following the tragic incident at Park Tavern, we’re grieving the loss of a loved and respected colleague and friend to many here at Methodist Hospital and HealthPartners,” Heitkamp stated. “Our thoughts are with our colleague’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
The names of the deceased individuals were not revealed in the announcement. It added that the four hospital employees who had been hurt were all nurses.
Methodist Hospital physician Dr. Thomas Stark stated that the group of coworkers celebrated with a nurse who was leaving her post to take a new one on Sunday night at Park Tavern, which is close to the hospital.
“On to the next chapter of her life and everyone was out celebrating, having a good time and saying good-bye,” Stark stated.
The television channel reports that the nurse is currently in the hospital after suffering serious injuries.
According to one witness to the incident, the driver hit the back of his car before slamming right into a group of around thirty people gathered on the patio. The proprietor of Park Tavern, Phil Weber, informed the television station that Kristina Folkerts, a server there, was the second person to pass away.
According to Weber, Folkerts, 30, had a history with the Park Tavern. She worked as a server at the restaurant prior to the passing of Folkerts’ mother. Folkerts was 14 years old when she passed away, and staff members at the restaurant helped the youngster and occasionally watched her. Three young daughters survive Folkerts.
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According to its website, The Park Tavern is a “family-friendly destination offers bowling lanes and arcade games, plus a restaurant and bar.” The eatery declared it would close till further notice in a written statement that was posted online.
“Thank you for your understanding and kindness during this incredibly difficult time,” according to the statement.
Authorities stated that a law enforcement investigation into the incident is still underway and that the Minnesota State Patrol performed an accident reconstruction.
