Drunk Driver Who Killed Katie DeCubellis & Marsha Bowman in 1999 Arrested Again for DUI
GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle
Drunk Driver Who Killed Katie DeCubellis & Marsha Bowman in 1999 Arrested Again for DUI
Katie and Marsha would never come home.
They were killed on October 29, 1999 when they were struck by Stephen Reise, who pled nolo contendere in 2000 to charges of DUI with death resulting.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTCourt records show Reise was sentenced in 2003 by then-Associate Justice Mark Pfeiffer to 29 years in prison with 14 years to serve.
This week, Portsmouth Police arrested Reise on suspicion of DUI.
According to police, Reise submitted to a chemical breath test and provided breathalyzer readings of .269% and .264% BAC, more than three times the legal limit.
On Wednesday, GoLocal spoke with Katie’s parents, Meg and John DeCubellis, who started the Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation to continue her legacy by promoting youth leadership, supporting education, and generating public awareness of the dangers of drunk driving and substance abuse.
"John and I have spoken to over 250,000 students over the past 25 years in an attempt to make a difference from Katie's death,” said Meg DeCubellis. “Students continually ask us, 'Have you forgiven the drunk driver who killed her?’ Our answer has always been, 'The door is open and it depends on what he does with his second chance because Katie didn't even get a first chance.’”
“Our answer now is simple,” she said.
Latest Arrest
Portsmouth Police this week reported that a “repeat DUI offender was arrested amid Portsmouth enforcement.”
According to police:
On June 23, 2025, the Portsmouth Police Department arrested Stephen M. Reise, age 64, of Donna Drive in Portsmouth, for driving under the influence of alcohol following a motor vehicle accident.
At approximately 3:29 p.m., officers were dispatched to West Main Road near Redwood Drive for a vehicle that had been driving on a flat tire. Shortly after, at 3:33 p.m., officers were alerted to a motor vehicle crash on Donna Drive and located the vehicle from the previous call for service.
Officers encountered the vehicle and identified the operator as Stephen Reise. Officers spoke with Reise and observed multiple signs of alcohol impairment to include red and glassy eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of alcohol. Reise also admitted to consuming alcohol earlier.
Reise submitted to field sobriety testing, which he failed, and was placed under arrest.
After transport to headquarters, Reise submitted to a chemical breath test and provided breathalyzer readings of .269% and .264% BAC, more than three times the legal limit. Reise was charged with § 31-27-2(d)(1)(iii) DUI of Liquor .15 or Greater.
Reise was additionally charged with the following R.I. Traffic Tribunal offenses: § 31-27-2.3 refusal to submit to a preliminary breath test; § 31-22-2.1 possession of an alcoholic beverage while operating a vehicle; and § 31-23-19 operation with metal tires prohibited.
Reise was arraigned by Justice of the Peace and released on $10,000 surety bail with conditions prohibiting vehicle operation until further court order.
The arrest of Reise is one of six DUI-related arrests made by the Portsmouth Police Department since Thursday, June 19, 2025. The other individuals arrested during this proactive enforcement period include:
• June 19 - Joshua Poore, age 32, of Middletown, RI | § 31-27-2 DUI of Liquor .10-.15 BAC
• June 21 - William Fecteau, age 20, of Seekonk, MA | § 31-27-2 DUI of Liquor .10-.15 BAC
• June 21 - Derek Mendes, age 31, of Brockton, MA | § 31-27-2 DUI of Liquor Unknown BAC | § 31-27-2.1 Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test – 2nd Offense
• June 21- Christopher Potter, age 57, of Tiverton, RI | § 31-27-2 DUI of Liquor Unknown BAC | § 11-45-1 Disorderly Conduct | § 31-27-2.1 Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test – 2nd Offense
• June 22 – Kristen Dyer, age 42, of North Dighton, MA | § 31-27-2 DUI of Liquor Unknown BAC | § 31-27-2.1 Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test