ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — A hospital worker and waiter have died after what the owner of Park Tavern called a “horrific” event deadly patio crash sunday night.
Around 8 p.m., a man pulled into the parking lot of the St. Louis Park establishment and, after attempting to park, drove his car onto the outdoor patio. Two people were killed and three others were injured, city officials said.
The driver was arrested for criminal homicide by vehicle and is being held in the Hennepin County Jail. He has been identified as a 56-year-old man from St. Louis Park. He has not yet been formally charged.
The names of the victims have not been officially released, but Park Tavern owner Phil Weber did confirm to WCCO that one of the deceased victims was a server at the restaurant. She was a mother of three and a multi-generational employee, as her mother also worked at the bar.
“Since we’ve been here, a lot of people have died, but not like this,” Weber said. “This is just horrible. Nobody could believe this happened.”
WCCO
The Minnesota Nurses Association also confirmed that employees of Methodist Hospital were among the victims, including those who died. The hospital is located just over a mile southeast of Park Tavern.
“The entire MNA family mourns the loss of those who were killed, and we keep those who were injured in our thoughts. The days and weeks ahead will be difficult, and nurses will stick together to get through this,” MNA said in a statement.
Park Tavern is closed until further notice while the staff processes this loss and picks up the pieces. In the meantime, a memorial has grown on the patio. The owner assured WCCO that the restaurant will remain the heart of St. Louis Park and will recover from this tragedy.
Marielle Mohs
