Miss Grand USA Mekyla Li has been stripped of her title, awarded just one week prior, following revelations of an alleged hit-and-run incident and a past marriage. The Miss Grand USA organization announced Wednesday that Li’s reign was terminated and she was released from her title and associated duties due to violations of the pageant’s contractual policies.

According to court records, Li, 27, faces two felony charges in connection with an alleged hit-and-run incident in Los Angeles in November 2024. Pageant eligibility rules stipulate that contestants must have a clean personal record with no criminal history and cannot have been previously married or pregnant.

Records also indicate Li was married to Danny Ray Bedwell from August 9, 2018, to December 31, 2019, which conflicts with the organization’s rules. Li was arrested on November 24, 2024, and has pleaded not guilty to charges that she caused a non-serious injury and a permanent serious injury.

A civil lawsuit, as reported by People, alleges that Li and Michael Scobey swerved into oncoming traffic on Sunset Boulevard, colliding with a vehicle driven by Anna Mercedes Aoun. The lawsuit claims Aoun suffered “catastrophic injuries,” including permanent disability and lost future income, and alleges that Li and Scobey fled the scene after the collision without calling for emergency services. Aoun is seeking damages for medical expenses, property damage, lost earnings, and other costs through a jury trial.

Li, who was born to Chinese and South African parents and raised across three continents, previously held titles including Miss Grand Massachusetts 2026 and Miss Asia USA 2025. She was crowned Miss Grand USA on August 10 and had expressed excitement about competing in the Miss Grand International pageant later this year in India.

Miss Grand Indiana Victoria Oluwakotanmi, the first runner-up, has been named as Li's successor. Oluwakotanmi is expected to carry the crown and represent the United States.

Prior to her title being revoked, Li had shared on Instagram that her victory was "surreal" and an "unforgettable night."