Miss Universe Dominican Republic arrives in Puerto Rico after a car accident

The Dominican Republic's representative at Miss Universe 2026, Melissa Núñez, arrived in Puerto Rico on Monday morning, after postponing her trip to the island following a car accident with the pageant's national director, Magali Febles.

The accident happened Friday night in the Dominican Republic. According to Febles, in a video posted Saturday on her Instagram account, the vehicle they were traveling in hit a concrete wall, overturned, and ended up in a hole. "We are alive," she said at the start of her message.

On medical advice, both remained under evaluation for 48 hours to determine whether they were fit to travel. Núñez was expected to arrive Sunday, but the farewell at Las Américas International Airport was suspended until doctors gave them clearance to fly.

On her arrival at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, Núñez received the maga flower and said she felt "blessed" to be on the island after the accident. The pageant's activities began Sunday with the arrival of most of the nearly 120 contestants; the national costume show will be November 21, the preliminary competition November 22, and the final night November 24 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum of Puerto Rico.

Photo: Ramón "Tonito" Zayas / GFR Media

Source: El Nuevo Día