Shannon Storms Beador, a prominent figure on “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” grapples with the aftermath of a reported arrest over the weekend. In a startling revelation first brought to light by TMZ, the 59-year-old reality TV personality allegedly was involved in a hit-and-run incident on a Saturday night, where she purportedly struck a residence with her vehicle and then left the scene. The gravity of this situation was subsequently confirmed by Beador’s close friend and fellow Bravo star, Jeff Lewis, during his SiriusXM talk show on Monday.
According to TMZ’s account of events, law enforcement officers discovered Beador walking her dog shortly after she had apparently abandoned her car in the middle of the road. Her reported state of alcohol intoxication at the time led to her being charged with two misdemeanors, including driving under the influence.
PEOPLE magazine has diligently sought confirmation from the Newport Beach Police Department, and efforts to reach Beador and her attorney for comment are currently underway.
Jeff Lewis, aged 53, who shares a longstanding friendship with Shannon Beador, shared insights into the incident, saying, “Unfortunately [Shannon] got a DUI on Saturday night. She was also in a car accident. She was injured, so she’s going to be recovering.”
Expounding on the matter, Lewis stated, “Shannon and I have been friends for a very long time. I was shocked — she called me yesterday, and we talked for a while — and I was shocked because I’ve never known Shannon to ever, ever drink and drive.”
In a heartfelt manner, Jeff Lewis clarified, “I will tell you she’s accepting full accountability. She is ashamed, she’s embarrassed. I personally, as her friend — because people are like, ‘Oh she needs rehab,’ ‘Oh she’s an alcoholic’ — I don’t think Shannon is an alcoholic. I think she’s been going through a lot of personal struggles right now, and I think she has been leaning on alcohol — but I don’t think she’s an alcoholic.”
In a proactive step to address the situation, Jeff Lewis disclosed that Shannon Beador will be embarking on counseling in the coming week, a decision he applauds.
He underscored, “Aside from Shannon, nobody was hurt in the accident. I’m not justifying it, I’m not condoning it. I’m just sharing with you what I know.”
Amidst the public scrutiny of her personal life, Shannon Beador has been navigating her fair share of challenges this year, including the surprising end of her three-and-a-half-year relationship with John Janssen in late 2022. Recent episodes of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” have provided glimpses into Beador’s journey as she grapples with complex relationship dynamics.
As Beador confronts the consequences of the reported incident, friends and fans are rallying around her, offering support during this challenging time.
