Kristina Folkerts dies in fatal St. Louis Park patio crash
Kristina Folkerts dies in fatal St. Louis Park patio crash
Fatal St. Louis Park patio crash claims the life of Kristina Folkerts – Obituary
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — A tragic incident at Park Tavern on Sunday evening resulted in the deaths of hospital employee Gabe Harvey and Park Tavern server Kristina Folkerts, while four others sustained injuries.
Around 8 p.m., a 56-year-old man drove into the establishment’s parking lot and, after attempting to park, lost control of his vehicle, crashing into the patio area.
Kristina Folkerts, 30, a mother of three and a second-generation employee at Park Tavern, was one of the two people who lost their lives.
According to Phil Weber, the owner of Park Tavern, Kristina was deeply integrated into the community, with her mother having worked at the tavern before her.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support her family, raising nearly $44,000 as of Tuesday evening.
The other victim, Gabe Harvey, was an employee at Methodist Hospital, where four nurses were also injured in the crash. Harvey was at Park Tavern with colleagues celebrating a coworker’s last day before starting CRNA school. His colleagues described him as having a heart of gold, always smiling, and beloved by everyone. ICU nurse Laci Haviland, who worked with Harvey shortly before the crash, expressed her grief at the loss of someone who was well-respected and considered the ICU his home unit.
The driver responsible for the crash has been arrested on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide, with two prior DWI convictions from 2013 and 2015. Formal charges have not yet been filed.
A growing memorial outside Park Tavern has seen a steady flow of mourners, including employees from Methodist Hospital, who are paying their respects and leaving flowers in honor of the victims. Methodist Hospital has also shared its condolences, highlighting the close relationship between their staff and Park Tavern.
Park Tavern has temporarily closed as the community processes the tragedy, with Weber reassuring that the restaurant will eventually recover and continue its role as a central hub for St. Louis Park.
Police are seeking witnesses and anyone who may have been injured in the incident to come forward, and they are also asking for any footage of the crash to be submitted online.
Online fundraisers have been initiated to support the victims and their families during this difficult time.
Kristina Folkerts dies in fatal St. Louis Park patio crash Fatal St. Louis Park patio crash claims the life of Kristina Folkerts – Obituary ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — A tragic incident at Park Tavern on Sunday evening resulted in the deaths of hospital employee Gabe Harvey and Park Tavern server Kristina Folkerts, while four…
Kristina Folkerts dies in fatal St. Louis Park patio crash Fatal St. Louis Park patio crash claims the life of Kristina Folkerts – Obituary ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — A tragic incident at Park Tavern on Sunday evening resulted in the deaths of hospital employee Gabe Harvey and Park Tavern server Kristina Folkerts, while four…