ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — Two people were killed and three were injured when a man drove his car through a restaurant patio in a Minneapolis suburb Sunday, police said.
Security video captured a man, whom police did not name, driving into the outdoor patio of the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, a city immediately west of Minneapolis. The video shows the man entering the restaurant parking lot on Sunday evening but not going inside. He attempted to park, then drove into the outdoor patio, police said.
The driver was arrested on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide. Police did not offer any more details on a potential motive. They also did not identify the victims.
Police at the scene where a car drove into the patio seating area of Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, Minn., on Sunday. Jeff Wheeler / Star Tribune via AP
A spokesperson for HealthPartners, a healthcare nonprofit that operates Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, told NBC affiliate KARE that nurses and staffers from the facility are among the victims.
One person who witnessed the episode said the driver struck the back of his vehicle before mowing directly into a crowd of about 30 people on the patio, the news station reported.
Dr. Thomas Stark, who works at Methodist Hospital, told KSTP-TV he was at Park Tavern on Sunday night with a group of colleagues. They were out celebrating one of the hospital employees, who was leaving her role as a nurse for a new position.
“On to the next chapter of her life and everyone was out celebrating, having a good time and saying good-bye,” Stark said.
That nurse is now hospitalized with severe injuries, according to the news station.
The Park Tavern is a “family-friendly destination offers bowling lanes and arcade games, plus a restaurant and bar,” according to its website. In a written statement published 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 an accident reconstruction, and a law enforcement investigation into the episode is ongoing, authorities said.
degausser22 on September 3rd, 2024 at 01:26 UTC »
One of the deceased is my wife’s cousin. 30 years old, just graduating with his nursing degree that he had been working on while also working. He was out celebrating an ICU nurse’s last shift. Apparently she is among the other 3 injured. I’ve heard 2 of 3 injured have brain damage.
Don’t drive drunk. Please. We are devastated.
Webgardener on September 2nd, 2024 at 23:30 UTC »
He was a local guy, he is 56 years old and was arrested for vehicular manslaughter. Two people died. Based on the charges, we’re guessing that he had been drinking at the time. He had just arrived to the bar, he had not been drinking at the park Tavern. He did not have a medical emergency. One of the deceased was a waitress, she was young with three small children. The other injured or killed people were from the nearby hospital, they worked in the intensive care unit and we’re celebrating the fact that someone was moving onto a new job. The ambulances brought them to the hospital they worked at, because it’s very close to the bar. He has a past record of DUIs. This happened very near me, and it’s quite shocking to the community.
fxkatt on September 2nd, 2024 at 23:15 UTC »
“On to the next chapter of her life and everyone was out celebrating, having a good time and saying good-bye,” Stark said. That nurse is now hospitalized with severe injuries, according to the news station
This nurse had probably cared for more than a few accident victims, and now upon her leaving for another profession, will be on the other side of care.... perhaps for some time.