Full Notification

Hit & Run - Fatal Traffic Collision

Driver Arrested

Arrested: Neil Storm Stephany, Male White, 23-year-old resident of Huntington Beach

On October 19, 2014 at approximately 5:03 p.m. the Newport Beach Police Department was notified of a major injury traffic collision involving a truck and a bicyclist on East Coast Highway, just east of Los Trancos.

The bicyclist and white Toyota Tacoma were both travelling on East Coast Highway when the collision occurred.  The driver of the truck fled the scene without stopping to render aid and continued westbound on East Coast Highway.  Newport Beach Police Officers were able to locate and arrest the driver (identified as Neil Stephany) near the intersection of Newport Center Drive and East Coast Highway.  Mr. Stephany was taken into custody for multiple charges, including Felony DUI (causing Great Bodily Injury), Hit and Run, Narcotics Possession, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  His bail was initially set at $100,000.

The bicyclist, identified as Shaun Eagleson (a 30-year-old resident of Fountain Valley), sustained critical injuries as a result of the collision.  Five Newport Beach Fire personnel responded to the scene to render aid and to transport him to a local trauma center for medical treatment.  Mr. Eagelson unfortunately succumbed to injuries sustained during the collision and passed away at approximately 9:45 pm the same evening.

Further investigation revealed that Mr. Stephany has a prior conviction for Driving Under the Influence.  In California, a previous DUI conviction, and the subsequent required alcohol education, is considered an adequate indicator to suggest “implied malice” in subsequent DUI arrests involving the death of another party.  That fact, combined with Mr. Eagelson’s passing, lead Newport Beach Police to change Mr. Stephany’s booking charges to include 187 PC – Murder.  Mr. Stephany is currently being held without bail.

The circumstances of the collision are still under investigation.  Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact Investigator Eric Little at 949-644-3746 or [email protected].

Driving Under the Influence is a serious crime, with the potential for tragic and fatal consequences.  It is also completely preventable. The Newport Beach Police Department urges all members of the Community to make responsible decisions and to avoid getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or prescription medications.