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Steamboat Springs — A 37-year-old Lakewood man was sentenced to one year in jail Thursday after pleading guilty to careless driving that resulted in the death of Craig resident Michael Bailey in February 2006.

During an emotional sentencing in Routt County District Court, visiting Senior Judge Thomas Ossola told Dustin Lund that the sentence fell short of restorative justice.

"In fashioning a sentence in any case where there is a loss of life, the court is deprived of any opportunity to restore the parties to where they were before the accident," he said.

Lund's sentencing, which was continued a second time from June 5, was the first time Bailey's family, including his 18-year-old son, Jordan, and sister, Kathy Oberwitte, heard from Lund since the accident.

"I'm so sorry for the bad decision I made that day," he said, tears streaming down his face. "I know you guys lost a very important person in your life. There aren't enough words for me to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Bailey died in February 2006 near Hayden after Lund, who was driving a commercial truck, struck the Coca-Cola truck Bailey was driving. Lund admitted he was sleep deprived at the time of the accident and should not have been driving. Several other motorists on U.S. Highway 40 called 911 to report Lund's erratic driving in the hours leading up the accident. Lund was accused of being under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the accident, but because of mishandled evidence, the District Attorney's Office pursued only a misdemeanor charge against Lund. The maximum punishment was a one-year sentence in Routt County Jail.

During the sentencing, Jordan Bailey presented a 15-minute slideshow chronicling his father's life with photos and music.

"I never even got to say goodbye," he said. "My dad was my best friend. He was my hero. These photos and the memories I have in my heart are all I have left of my father."

Kris Hammond, Lund's attorney, asked Ossola to consider handing down a sentence that included probation so Lund could work and support his family, despite recommendations that advised Lund was not a good candidate for probation.

"One day the jail doors will open and he'll be out, but I think the court can make a bigger impact by creating a sentence that would motivate him," Hammond said.

Ossola disagreed, instead handing down the one-year sentence. A restitution hearing will be scheduled at a later date, Ossola said.