In a tragic incident that shook a Montana community, a young woman’s actions on a fateful night have led to significant legal consequences. Shania O’Brien, aged 23, has been sentenced to two years in a state correctional facility following a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of Austin Nieves, also 23 years old.

Presiding over the case, Butte-Silver Bow District Judge Mike Salvagni delivered the sentence on Tuesday. O’Brien’s conviction stems from her guilty plea in November 2024 to a felony charge of failing to render aid after an accident involving death. While Judge Salvagni initially imposed a seven-year sentence, five years of this term were suspended. Additionally, O’Brien is mandated to pay more than $22,000 in restitution to the family of the victim, Austin Nieves.

The tragic event unfolded on the night of July 3, 2023. Under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, O’Brien drove her Jeep Wrangler down Granite Street, where Austin Nieves and his younger brother Connor, aged 21, were enthusiastically lighting fireworks to celebrate Independence Day. The joyous occasion quickly turned disastrous when O’Brien’s vehicle struck the pair. Both brothers were urgently transported to a nearby hospital, where unfortunately, Austin succumbed to his injuries.

After the collision, O’Brien fled the scene on foot, abandoning her vehicle. Her conscience eventually led her to surrender to authorities the following day.

Prosecutors in the case argued for a more severe punishment, pushing for a ten-year sentence with half of it suspended. They emphasized that O’Brien’s actions were primarily motivated by self-preservation, as reported by Billings NBC affiliate KULR. Despite their efforts, the court settled on the two-year incarceration with additional financial restitution to the Nieves family.

Prosecutors sought a harsher sentence for O’Brien, asking the court to give her 10 years with five years suspended, describing all of her actions as being derived “from preservation,” Billings NBC affiliate KULR reported.

“Her goal was to stay out of trouble and that goal trumped any humane action that should have prevailed,” prosecutor Jessica Best reportedly told the court. “She crushed a man to death, left him to die alone, and in that moment and the moments following, his life didn’t matter.”

O’Brien’s defense attorney, Palmer Hoovestal, pushed the court for a deferred sentence of five years, emphasizing the remorse his client felt for causing Nieves’ death. During the hearing, O’Brien addressed the victim’s family and apologized for what she had put them through.

“I’m really terribly sorry for this accident,” she said, according to KULR. “I apologize to the family. I’m sorry for the ways that I’ve hurt you and I’m sorry for leaving the scene. I can’t understand what you’re going through and I never will, but I am so sorry.”

Salvagni’s sentence ultimately landed between the opposing sides, but before the proceedings were over, he shared some harsh words with O’Brien.

“The defendant’s conduct in failing to stop on July 3, 2023, to render aid and provide necessary information to law enforcement was reprehensible,” he said, according to a report from local CBS affiliate KXLF. “The court recognizes the grief, anger and trauma experienced by those who knew and loved Austin. A very precious person was taken from them. Those feelings are certainly exacerbated knowing the person fled after running over their loved one.”

Before concluding the proceedings, the judge said he only hoped that “someday Austin’s family and friends will find peace and comfort.”