A motorcyclist who died after a collision with a sport-utility car final week in North St. Paul has been recognized as Gary Baxton, a tattoo artist who at one time owned a store in Maplewood.
Baxton, 45, of St. Paul, died following the Friday evening crash, the Ramsey County health worker’s workplace stated Tuesday.
Baxton had owned Everlasting Pores and skin Artwork, in line with a number of social media posts by household and pals. The store was positioned alongside Frost Avenue, simply east of English Avenue, earlier than going out of enterprise final yr.
“Sadly, Gary misplaced his tattooing enterprise throughout 2020 as a consequence of COVID-19 and different circumstances,” learn a GoFundMe page arrange by a buddy to assist with funeral bills. “I felt that this was one solution to take away an enormous burden of off the shoulders of this household throughout this tragic time.”
The crash occurred simply earlier than 10 p.m. on the intersection of McKnight Highway and eleventh Avenue, North St. Paul police stated. Emergency responders handled Baxton on the scene earlier than taking him to the hospital, the place he died later that evening.
The SUV driver was shaken up from the crash, however not injured, North St. Paul police Sgt. Ray Rozales stated Tuesday.
An post-mortem into the reason for Baxton’s loss of life stays ongoing, the health worker’s workplace stated.
The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the reason for the crash.
The GoFundMe web page has raised greater than $9,000 and been shared greater than 1,300 instances.
In a Fb put up, Baxton’s daughter, Evelyn Baxton of St. Paul, stated her “coronary heart is so damaged” and that “saying he was so extremely particular is an understatement.”
Heidi Benkowski, proprietor of Butterfly Salon, stated in a Fb put up that the brand for her Roseville enterprise is of a tattoo that Baxton created and placed on her final yr. At first, she requested him for simply haircutting shears, however that “was boring,” she wrote. “So he added the comb and brush. That was too plain. So he added the water colours.”
“Proficient and sort Gary will likely be missed!” learn a Fb put up from Tattoo You Midwest Conventions.