Man drives car through restaurant patio in suburban Minneapolis, killing 2

SF. LOUIS PARK, Minn. (AP) — A man drove his car through a restaurant patio where a group of medical workers were celebrating in a Minneapolis suburb on Sunday, killing two people and injuring at least four, police and hospital officials said.

Surveillance footage captured a man, who police have not named, driving into the front yard of the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, a town just west of Minneapolis. Footage shows the man pulling into the restaurant’s parking lot Sunday night, but not going inside. He tried to park, then drove into the outdoor patio, police said.

The driver was arrested for criminal homicide. Police have not released further details on a potential motive. They did not identify the victims either. But in a written statement Monday, Annelise Heitkamp, ​​a spokeswoman for Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, said one of the people who died and the four who were injured worked at the facility.

“Following the tragic incident at Park Tavern, we are grieving the loss of a beloved and respected colleague and friend to many here at Methodist Hospital and HealthPartners,” Heitkamp said. “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of our colleague at this incredibly difficult time.”

The statement did not reveal the names of the deceased. All four injured hospital workers were said to be nurses. Dr. Thomas Stark, who works at Methodist Hospital, told KSTP-TV that the group of colleagues went to the Park Tavern, which is near the hospital, on Sunday night to celebrate with one of the nurses, who is leaving her role for a nine. position.

“On to the next chapter of her life and everyone is celebrating, having fun and saying goodbye,” Stark said.

That nurse is now hospitalized with serious injuries, according to the news station.

A person who witnessed the episode told KARE-TV that the driver rear-ended his vehicle before cutting straight into a crowd of about 30 people on the terrace. Park Tavern owner Phil Weber told the news station that the second person who died was Kristina Folkerts, a server at the restaurant.

Folkerts, 30, has had a long association with Park Tavern, Weber said. Before Folkerts’ mother died, she was also a restaurant server. She died when Folkerts was 14, and restaurant employees would come to the teenager’s aid and occasionally give her up. Folkerts is survived by three young daughters.

Taverna Park is a “family-friendly destination offering bowling alleys and arcade games, plus a restaurant and bar,” according to its website. In a written statement posted online, the restaurant said it would remain closed until further notice.

“Thank you for your understanding and kindness during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement said.

The Minnesota State Patrol conducted a crash reconstruction and a police investigation into the episode is ongoing, authorities said.

Photo: Police are shown at the scene where a car drove into the seating area of ​​the Park Tavern terrace in St. Louis Park, Minn., Sunday evening, Sept. 1, 2024. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)

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