By Shannon Lukens.

 

 

Steven O’Brien plead guilty late Tuesday afternoon in Routt County Court in the Vehicular Homicide death of 34-year-old Emily Tintrup Dealy and Aggravated Vehicular Unlawful Termination of a pregnancy. The crash on Highway 40 in July of 2023 killed Dealy, her 5-month old unborn child, and the family dog. Dealy was a pre-school teacher at Steamboat Montessori. There were 13 charges originally filed against 66-year-old Steven O’Brien from Littleton. A jury trial was set to begin on Thursday, Jan. 2, but it has been canceled.

The sentence is ten years of probation. But District Court Judge Michael A. O’Hara, III, can add 90 days of jail time. That will be decided at sentencing at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9.

Updated Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 1. In other details from Tuesday’s hearing…

The case against Steven O’Brien was set to be a seven-day jury trial, to begin Thursday, Jan. 2. The Routt County courts were notified Tuesday afternoon that O’Brien was prepared to enter a guilty plea that day. So a time was set for all to meet at 4 p.m. The case was heard by District Court Judge Michael A. O’Hara, III, in Courtroom 2B, with Deputy District Attorney Joseph Bucci in attendance in person, and everyone else on Webex.

During the hearing late Tuesday, Judge O’Hara explained the guilty plea and asked O’Brien a series of questions, to which he replied either, “No, Your Honor,” or “Yes, Your Honor.”

There were originally 13 charges and that was reduced to two charges. O’Brien plead guilty to Vehicular Homicide which is a Class 3 penalty, with a sentence of probation for 10 years. O’Hara said the terms are left open to the court but O’Brien could receive a jail sentence of up to 90 days and public service.

The second charge was Aggravated Vehicular Unlawful Termination of a Pregnancy, which is a Class 4 felony. That sentence would be served concurrently (but no jail sentence could be imposed with this charge).

Judge O’Hara asked O’Brien to confirm that he was pleading guilty to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or a combination of both and that such conduct was the approximate cause of the unlawful death of Emily Tintrup Dealy and the unlawful termination of the pregnancy of Dealy.

O’Brien confirmed each charge with, “Yes, Your Honor.”

Judge O’Hara said details of the probation will be worked out later but that O’Brien cannot receive a prison sentence. However, if he violates probation, O’Brien could receive four to 12 years in prison with a fine of up to $750,000, “But if exceptional circumstances were found to exist, the sentence could be as long as 24 years.” The second charge would be two to six years in prison with a possible fine of $500,000. Both would carry three years of mandatory probation.

O’Brien’s attorneys stated in the hearing that O’Brien is 66 years old and does not have any prior convictions. He lives in Littleton, Colo. His original bond was $250,000, which he posted. Because of the high bond, Judge O’Hara did not think O’Brien would be a flight risk before sentencing on Jan. 9. At sentencing, O’Brien can be in person in court, or join virtually via Webex. If he is not there, that would be a violation of his probation sentence which could result in a prison sentence.

Judge O’Hara was prepared to sentence Steven O’Brien during the hearing Tuesday. But Deputy District Attorney Joseph Bucci said Emily Tintrup Dealy’s family members were unable to make it to the hearing that day, since it was called with such short notice. He said her family members would like to be there, in person or on Webex. A spokesperson for the family on Webex said Emily’s mother, brother, and sister will make any day work. Judge O’Hara set the date for 1 p.m. Thursday Jan. 9 since he has been the judge on the case, and he is retiring on Jan. 14.

However, Judge Billy-George Hertzke was observing the hearing on the Webex call at the time, and was on a previous court hearing on the case. He has been appointed to fill the vacancy for Judge O’Hara, who said Judge Hertzke is “observing because he has been sort of shadowing me as I wind down.”

At the beginning of Tuesday’s hearing, Judge O’Hara asked those involved in the case if it was OK for Steamboat Radio News to take pictures in the courtroom, and that request was approved.

More on the Story — Steamboat Montessori mourns loss of Pre-School Director in fatal crash

 

Three livestock producers that we know of so far have submitted claims to be reimbursed for wolf depredations for over $575,000. One is from South Routt County and two are from Grand County. That’s according to the Middle Park Stockgrowers, who let us know. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has not updated any information on claims on their website.

Conway Farrell near Kremmling had the most claims, with losses of cows, calves, and sheep from the Copper Creek Wolf Pack, which was eventually removed from the area by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

“I hope we get paid so we can stay in business. We need to get paid. They’re the ones that made the law and we filed everything how they set it up so I dang sure hope we get paid.”

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meets Jan. 8-9. A wolf update is on the agenda, as well as a petition from 26 entities, mostly involving statewide livestock producers, to pause the next round of wolf releases. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is recommending a denial of the petition.

Meanwhile, CPW has said the next round of wolf releases in Colorado could begin any day.

More on the Story — Producers submit three wolf depredation claims for $575,000

 

It is New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025. All city and county offices are closed as are federal services, such as the post office.

 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is offering a First Day Hike to ring in the New Year. These hikes are at 23 Colorado state parks including Steamboat Lake and Stagecoach in Routt County. The hikes are free but visitors to the park will need a valid parks pass.

The Steamboat Lake hikes are self-guided on the 1.5 mile Snowshoe Trail. They’ll have hot drinks and cookies in the Visitor Center. Stagecoach is offering a guided snowshoe hike, and they will have some snowshoes available. It’s about one mile.

 

There is no residential trash service in Craig today. If Wednesday is your trash pick-up day in Craig, it will be moved to tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 2.

 

The Solid Waste Department with the City of Craig says rates are going up 10 percent, starting Jan. 1. It’s due to increasing operational costs.

 

In Steamboat Springs, there will be trash service as normal, and that includes Wednesday, New Year’s Day.

 

There are some new Colorado laws in effect today. You can no longer drive with a cell phone in your hand. Drivers are prohibited from using a mobile device, unless you have a hands-free accessory. Learn more at codot.gov/handsfreeco.

Fines begin today for anyone changing lanes over a solid line on the Express Lane. That’s on the major highways, like I-70, if you’re headed that way.

Also, the only eggs sold in Colorado have to be from free-range chickens.

 

There is a Holiday Hockey Tournament all day today at Howelsen Ice Arena. Sign up with: dchase@steamboatsprings.net

 

 

 

Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.

 

For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.