Birmingham woman charged with death of Montevallo freshman

By Neal Wagner (Contact) | Shelby County Reporter

Originally published 03:08 p.m., November 30, 2009
Updated 09:21 p.m., November 30, 2009

The Montevallo Police Department Nov. 26 charged a 52-year-old Birmingham woman with the death of an 18-year-old University of Montevallo freshman.

Police arrested Diane Harris Stephens on Thanksgiving Day and charged her with one count of reckless murder and one count of leaving the scene of an accident. She is being held in the Shelby County Jail in lieu of a $150,000 bond.

Contributed

Diane Stephens

According to court records, Stephens has several previous felony convictions, including a 1984 drunken driving conviction in the Birmingham Municipal Court, a 1998 property theft charge and a 2003 conviction for driving on the wrong side of the highway in the Montevallo Municipal Court.

The arrest came three days after 18-year-old Amy Elliott died in a three-car crash on Alabama 119, north of the University of Montevallo campus.

The fatal wreck was investigated by the Shelby County Vehicle Homicide Task Force, which is composed of members of several county law enforcement agencies.

Four other university students, Phenix City resident Logan Arrowood, Eonna Chambers, of Birmingham, and Brewton residents Joseph and Stephen Billy, were also injured in the wreck, which occurred as the students were traveling to an Alabaster restaurant in Elliott’s vehicle.

As of Nov. 30, Chambers and Arrowood remained at UAB Hospital, where Chambers was in critical condition and Arrowood was listed in good condition.

Those who knew Elliott described her as a kind, honest and joyful person Nov. 30, as more than 100 University of Monetevallo employees and students crowded into the university’s Robert M. McChesney Student Activity Center during a memorial service for Elliott.

“Every time I saw her, she just lit up the room,” said Frank Deming, a University of Montevallo student and friend of Elliott. “She always knew how to comfort somebody.

“I really wish she was still here,” Deming added. “I know I will never forget everything she has done for me.”

Quiet weeping and embraces filled the air as the University of Montevallo Chamber Choir sang a pair of pieces in Elliott’s honor.

“Our hearts are full of sympathy and concern for Amy’s parents,” said Dr. Terry Roberson, the university’s acting president. “Over the past few days, I have heard stories of her impact during her short time here at Montevallo. During her time on Earth, she definitely made her mark.”

Dr. Kimberly Barrett, the university’s vice president of student affairs, called the event a “tragedy,” and said the university’s thoughts and prayers would be with the Elliott family.

“I know she touched many lives here in the community,” Barrett said. “There is no doubt she had an impact here at Montevallo.”

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