A European beauty queen has died after falling from a bridge onto a highway in Turkey while reportedly trying to escape from police.

Güler Erdogan, aged 27 and a former Miss Europe-Kosovo titleholder, fell approximately 50 feet from an overpass in Giresun, Turkey, on April 1, 2025.

According to local reports, Erdogan had been celebrating Eid with her family in her hometown and later continued the night at a nightclub with friends. She was stopped by police at a checkpoint on her way home, where officers administered a breathalyzer test.

Turkish authorities measured Erdogan’s blood alcohol content at 1.70mg per 100ml, over three times the legal limit of 0.5mg per 100ml in the country. Allegedly fearing repercussions, Erdogan abandoned her car and fled on foot.

As she ran toward a nearby overpass, Erdogan reportedly lost her balance and fell onto the six-lane highway below. She was subsequently hit by a passing vehicle. Despite footage from the scene showing a significant emergency response, medical teams were unable to save her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Turkish police have launched an investigation into the events surrounding Erdogan’s death to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the incident.

The area was temporarily closed to traffic as authorities conducted their initial investigation.

Erdogan, who had a significant presence on social media with 56,000 followers on Instagram, had all her previous posts removed, leaving only a family statement contesting aspects of the incident’s narrative.

“Do not believe the false news and information regarding the death of our daughter, sister, and friend Güler Erdoğan,” the statement reads. “Our sister lost her life as a result of a tragic accident. As her family, we were by her side at the time of the incident.”

The family has not specified which details they dispute in the media accounts.

Erdogan’s modeling career included winning the “Miss Europe-Kosovo” title and working with several major brands. Her unexpected death has impacted fans and industry colleagues, who have been posting tributes online.

The incident occurred on an overpass spanning a major six-lane highway in Giresun, a city on Turkey’s Black Sea coast about 425 miles east of Istanbul. Known for its hazelnut production, Giresun was Erdogan’s hometown, where she had been visiting family.

Prior to the checkpoint encounter, Erdogan had been celebrating Ramadan Eid, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, with her family. She then spent the evening with friends at a local nightclub before attempting to drive home.

Road safety and alcohol regulations are strictly enforced in Turkey, where the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5mg per 100ml, lower than in many other countries. Authorities conduct regular checkpoints, particularly during holiday periods like Eid, to ensure adherence to traffic laws and reduce incidents during times of increased celebration.