Shannon Beador Is 'Extremely Apologetic' and 'Prepared to Accept Full Responsibility' After DUI Crash: Lawyer

Shannon Storms Beador is taking accountability for her actions.

Following her arrest over the weekend, The Real Housewives of Orange County star, 59, is reeling from the fallout and is “extremely apologetic” for her actions, according to her lawyer, Michael L. Fell.

"I spent quite a bit of time with Shannon yesterday," Fell tells PEOPLE in a statement on Monday. "She is extremely apologetic and remorseful. We will be awaiting the official information on this case as it becomes available, and Shannon is prepared to accept full responsibility for her actions."

Earlier on Monday, PEOPLE confirmed that the reality star was "arrested at 1:17 a.m. on Sept. 17 after fleeing the scene from a collision that caused property damage," according to the Newport Beach Police Department. The NBPD also confirmed that Beador had been "booked for two misdemeanors — hit-and-run and DUI alcohol. She was released on a citation."

The Bravolebrity was found walking her dog by police after she allegedly left her car in the middle of the road, according to the initial report by TMZ. 

The same day that PEOPLE confirmed Beador's arrest, her friend and fellow Bravo star Jeff Lewis gave an update on the situation, via his SiriusXM talk show.

"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," he said, noting that "Shannon and I have been friends for a very long time. I was shocked — she called me yesterday and we talked for awhile — and I was shocked because I’ve never known Shannon to ever, ever drink and drive."

"I will tell you she’s accepting full accountability," Lewis, 53, continued. "She is ashamed, she’s embarrassed. I personally, as her friend — cause 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 thorough 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."

Lewis added, "She’s going to be entering counseling this week. So I’m happy about that. 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."

Earlier this year, Beador admitted she had been “blindsided” when boyfriend John Janssen ended their three-and-a-half-year relationship in late 2022. “I've never loved anyone more in my life," Beador said on an episode of RHOC. "I was hopeful this was the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. I wanted it to work out. I've never loved anyone like I've loved John. But clearly, he didn't feel the same way."

Months later, Beador was allegedly removed from a bar after a shouting argument with Janssen’s daughter. Initial reports claimed she was “screaming” which resulted in her dismissal from the establishment. 

In August, Beador addressed the reports during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, saying, “Unfortunately, I don’t have a positive relationship with John’s daughter as happens often in blended families. We had an argument, there was an argument.”

“The lights were up [and] they were saying, ‘Everybody wrap it up,'” Beador said, explaining that the establishment was nearing closing time. “I wasn’t kicked out, but I asked security to help me with my Uber. That was it. … I absolutely was not kicked out.”

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The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.