The world of beauty pageants was struck by tragedy this week as Güler Erdogan, a 27-year-old model and former Miss Europe-Kosovo, lost her life in a devastating accident. Reports indicate that Erdogan fell from a bridge onto a busy motorway while attempting to evade police in Giresun, Turkey. Authorities had stopped her on suspicion of drunk driving, with initial tests revealing her blood alcohol level to be more than three times the legal limit. The incident has sent shockwaves through her social media following and the broader pageant community.
According to local sources, Erdogan had been celebrating Eid with her family before heading to a nightclub with friends. After leaving the club, she was pulled over at a police checkpoint, where a breathalyzer test allegedly showed a staggering 1.70mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood—far exceeding Turkey’s legal threshold of 0.50mg. Fearing legal consequences, she reportedly fled on foot, making her way toward a nearby overpass before losing her balance and plummeting nearly 50 feet onto the highway below. Moments later, she was struck by an oncoming vehicle, sealing the tragic outcome.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but despite their efforts, Erdogan was pronounced dead shortly after the fall. The aftermath was captured in harrowing footage, showing a swarm of police cars and ambulances surrounding the area. Meanwhile, her once-active Instagram profile, which boasted over 56,000 followers, has since been wiped clean, leaving only a solemn statement from her family disputing the circumstances of her death. They urged the public not to believe “false news,” insisting that she had died in an accident while they were by her side.
This heartbreaking incident is the latest in a string of high-profile tragedies involving models in recent months. Earlier this year, Australian DJ and model Courtney Mills, 37, died after falling from a balcony in Bali. While the circumstances differ, both cases highlight the fragility of life and the unforeseen dangers that can arise in moments of distress. Erdogan’s death has prompted Turkish authorities to open an investigation, though many questions remain unanswered.
As tributes pour in from fans and fellow pageant contestants, the conversation has shifted to the broader implications of the incident—particularly around drunk driving and mental health. While Erdogan’s family maintains that her death was accidental, the circumstances leading up to it serve as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with impaired judgment. Her sudden and untimely passing leaves behind a grieving family, a legacy cut short, and a cautionary tale about the consequences of split-second decisions.