The man charged with killing two people and injuring a dozen others after drunkenly driving into the patio of Park Tavern has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Steven Bailey, 57, was sentenced to 180 months for each of the two murder charges he pleaded guilty to, a total of 360 months.
Bailey also pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal vehicular operation. These sentences will be served concurrently to his 30-year sentence. He was given credit for 43 days already served.
The crash killed Park Tavern server Kristina Folkerts and Methodist Hospital ICU coordinator Gabe Harvey. A dozen other people were hurt.
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Investigators found Bailey’s blood alcohol level that September night was more than four times the legal limit.
Surveillance video showed Bailey first backing into another parked car while trying to park his car before he could then be seen speeding toward the Park Tavern patio, driving through a metal fence and plowing through the packed patio. Investigators say Bailey did not slow down or stop until it was too late.
The judge heard from the family members of Folkerts and Harvey, as well as several victims who survived the crash.
After hearing the numerous victim impact statements, Bailey spoke at his own sentencing.
“I don’t think there’s anything I can add that could ease the pain and loss I’ve caused, or improve the situation,” he said.
Judge Juan Hoyos called the pain caused by the crash “unimaginable.”
“I’ve never heard anything like that in a courtroom,” he said, describing the numerous impact statements that detailed the pain and loss suffered by the victims and their families.
“I cannot understand why you gave up on yourself, and why you continued to drink and drive, and why you never tried to address your addiction,” Hoyos added, referencing Bailey’s numerous DWI convictions.
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