A beauty queen winner from Europe has died after falling from a bridge onto a highway in Turkey, reportedly while evading police.
Güler Erdogan, 27, who previously held the Miss Europe-Kosovo title, fell about 50 feet from an overpass in Giresun, Turkey on April 1, 2025.
According to local reports, Erdogan spent the day celebrating Eid with her family in her hometown and later went to a nightclub with friends. While driving back home, she was stopped at a police checkpoint where officers administered a breathalyzer test.
The test revealed Erdogan’s blood alcohol content was 1.70 mg per 100 ml, exceeding Turkey’s legal limit of 0.5 mg per 100 ml by more than three times. She reportedly left her car and attempted to escape on foot.
While running towards a nearby overpass, Erdogan lost her footing and fell onto the six-lane highway below, where she was hit by a vehicle. Video footage from the site shows a substantial emergency response, but despite the quick arrival of police and medical teams, Erdogan was declared dead at the scene.
Turkish authorities have initiated an investigation to understand the circumstances that led to Erdogan’s death.
The area was temporarily closed off to traffic as officials conducted their initial investigation and gathered evidence at the scene.
Erdogan was well-known on social media, with 56,000 followers on Instagram. After her passing, her account was stripped of all previous posts, leaving only a statement from her family disputing some aspects of the reported story.
“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 clarified which details in the media accounts they find inaccurate.
Erdogan’s modeling career included winning the Miss Europe-Kosovo title and securing contracts with several major brands. Her unexpected death has led to tributes from fans and colleagues in the industry.
The incident took place on an overpass covering a busy six-lane highway in Giresun, a city situated on the Black Sea coast of Turkey, roughly 425 miles east of Istanbul. Known for its hazelnut production and coastal scenery, Giresun was Erdogan’s hometown, where she was visiting family.
Before encountering the police checkpoint, Erdogan had been celebrating Ramadan Eid, also known as Eid al-Fitr, with her family. This holiday marks the end of Ramadan. Following family celebrations, she joined friends at a local nightclub before attempting to drive home.
Turkey maintains strict road safety and alcohol regulations, with a legal blood alcohol limit of 0.5 mg per 100 ml, lower than in many other countries. Authorities frequently set up checkpoints, especially during holidays such as Eid, to ensure adherence to traffic laws, aiming to reduce incidents and promote safety during festive periods.