Miss Washington USA 2016 could lose the crown after being convicted of DUI. The local beauty queen feels remorseful for hiding the conviction from pageant officials and pledges to never drink and drive again.
The local beauty queen crowned as Miss Washington USA 2016 might lose the crown after pageant officials found out about her DUI conviction. Stormy Keffeler, 23, was arrested for DUI last April 7, 2015. Keffeler reportedly hid the conviction from the pageant organization and is now in danger of being de-crowned.
Officials of the pageant recently found out about Keffeler's arrest on Friday through an anonymous tip. Court documents reveal that Keffeler pled guilty of DUI. KOMO News reported that Maureen Francisco, co-executive producer of Miss Washington USA, said that the decision on whether or not Keffeler keeps the crown will be made by the Miss Universe Organization.
It is clearly stated in pageant rules that contestants promise that they have not and will not participate in unlawful activities or felony convictions. Francisco said that the DUI conviction was not mentioned in Keffeler's pageant documents. She added that all contestants need to "disclose every piece of information" including any felony.
However, Keffeler said that she was not able to reveal the DUI conviction by mistake. She said that she feels sorry for "misfiling out the paperwork" and that she never intended to hurt or offend anyone.
Wilma Comenat, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Executive Director, was disappointed that a role model person like Keffeler chose to drink and drive. "We understand that no one was killed or injured as a result of the incident, but that's often not the case," Comenat added. She also said that there are about 150 fatalities caused by DUI in Washington.
KIRO-TV reported that at the time of Keffeler's arrest, her blood alcohol content (BAC) was three times higher than the legal limit in the state. Two tires were detached from Keffeler's car after the incident.
In December, Keffeler served two days in the Kirkland Jail. She was later crowned Miss Washington USA 2016 in October.
Keffeler said that she feels remorseful of what happened. She is asking for a second chance and promises never to drink and drive again.
Over the years, DUI incidents have increased across states. Lawyer Herald reported that certain laws are being proposed to deter DUI offenders. One such law requires DUI drivers to install interlock ignition devices on their vehicles. The device prohibits an individual from driving when it detects alcohol on his or her breath.
Another is the Scarlet Letter Tag Bill which intends to publicly shame repeat DUI offenders. Drivers repeatedly convicted of DUI will be issued special license plates with bright red letters for a year.
