Braunwyn Windham-Burke believes Shannon Beador’s arrest for DUI and hit-and-run can serve as a “catalyst for change.”
“I know Shannon has a big heart and hope this can become her story where this is a moment when everything changed for the better,” the “Real Housewives of Orange County” alum shared with Us Weekly Monday.
Windham-Burke, who is three years sober, acknowledged that Beador has gone through a “very hard year” following her split from longtime boyfriend John Janssen.
“Obviously, what happened is not OK. You should never drink and drive,” Windham-Burke, 45, said.
“It was a very unfortunate night for her, but fortunately no one was hurt.”
Pvnew confirmed that the Bravolebrity, 59, was arrested late Saturday for driving under the influence and fleeing the scene where she had crashed into a residential building.
She was cited and released from jail at 8:37 a.m. Sunday on her own recognizance and paid $2,500 bail.
Beador left a written promise to appear in court.
Pvnew obtained exclusive photos that showed the destruction left behind by the reality star’s crash, and the images show a planter in front of the Newport Beach, Calif., building that has been left mangled alongside concrete slabs scattered in the dirt.
An uprooted shrub can also be seen leaning into a tree, and marks from Beador’s car have been left on the residence’s gray paint job.
Although the Real for Real CEO has not spoken out on the ordeal, her friend Jeff Lewis revealed on his podcast that she had been injured and would enter counseling.
“I don’t think Shannon is an alcoholic. As her close friend, I think she’s going through a lot of personal struggles right now, and I think that she probably has been leaning on alcohol,” Lewis, 53, elaborated.
“But I don’t believe she’s an alcoholic.”
The former “Flipping Out” star explained that Beador called him after the incident and said she is “accepting full accountability” and “ashamed” and “embarrassed.”
