The man responsible for a crash on U.S. Highway 40 that resulted in the death of a beloved local Steamboat Springs woman was sentenced Thursday to 90 days in Routt County Jail, in addition to 10 years of supervised probation and 96 hours of community service.

Steven O’Brien, 66, of Littleton, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular unlawful termination of pregnancy on Dec. 31, according to the plea agreement.

On July 23, 2023, O’Brien was driving in the eastbound lane when he veered into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a Ford F-150, resulting in the death of Emily Tintrup Dealy, 34, who was pregnant at the time of the crash.

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Emily Dealy was the preschool director at Steamboat Montessori Charter School. She had a strong passion for teaching children and was well-known and loved in the Steamboat Springs community.

Her husband, Michael Dealy, was driving the truck and sustained minor injuries. The Dealys’ unborn son, and their dog, Gracie, also died in the crash.

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According to Judge Michael O’Hara III, O’Brien was under the influence of prescribed drugs and alcohol at the time of the crash. 

The case against O’Brien was scheduled for a jury trial on Jan. 2 — however, he and his defense counsel decided to plead guilty before the trial.

The case originally involved 13 charges, but according to the plea agreement, 11 were dismissed.

According to the plea agreement, O’Brien would be sentenced to 10 years of supervised probation unless the judge stated otherwise.

On Thursday, Judge O’Hara added 90 days in Routt County Jail to O’Brien’s sentence.

Emily Dealy’s mother, sister, brother, childhood best friend and husband addressed the court during the sentencing.

Each family member and friend expressed the grief they have faced in losing Emily Dealy, as well as the anger they feel toward O’Brien.

“Emily was extremely special,” said her mother, Andrea Tintrup. “Her death has killed a part of all of us. I can only hope her killer understands what a horrific thing he has done. He has left scores of lives forever damaged, and for what?”

When addressing the judge, Deputy District Attorney Joseph Bucci requested the court uphold the sentence of 10 years of supervised probation, and add 90 days of jail time.

“That jail time won’t destroy Mr. O’Brien’s life,” Bucci said. “It won’t prevent him from seeing his family or children again, but it will give him time to think — time to think about what he’s done, time to think about the lives he’s destroyed.”

Bucci added that O’Brien has an extensive history of traffic violations spanning from 2000 to 2022.

O’Brien’s defense counsel expressed that he is remorseful, has no extensive criminal record outside of traffic violations and is a family man who “has always been a contributing power to society.”

“I have put myself thinking how (family and friends) are thinking, and it’s not a good thing,” said O’Brien, addressing the court. “All I can say is I’m sorry. There’s no words to say how I feel. I’m just very sorry.”

Ultimately, Judge O’Hara decided to sentence O’Brien to 90 days in Routt County Jail in addition to 10 years of supervised probation and 96 hours of community service. 

“The plea offer and resolution of this case was the result of serious and ongoing conversations with Emily Tintrup Dealy’s husband, Michael Dealy, and her family, who wished to see the matter resolved short of trial,” the District Attorney’s office stated in a news release.

Through probation, O’Brien will not be allowed to possess a weapon and will have his license revoked.

He will also be required to undergo “alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendations of the probation department,” and be subject to regular substance-use testing.

The court ordered that O’Brien attend a victim impact panel. He will also owe $13,127.50 in fines and fees.

O’Brien is required to surrender himself to Routt County Jail before 4 p.m. Jan. 17.

“I have said many times before that if it were not for the irresponsible use of drugs, including prescription drugs, and alcohol, I wouldn’t have nearly as much to do as a judge,” said Judge O’Hara. “But ultimately that is what happened here. To the family, I’m sorry that this happened. I’m sorry that you’re having to live through this to this day.”

Following Emily Dealy’s passing, Michael Dealy established a memorial in his wife’s honor that benefits both Steamboat Montessori Charter School and a future outdoor nature school that Emily hoped to establish.

To donate to the memorial, visit EmilyTintrupDealyFoundation.org.