Influencer Valeria Mireles dies aged 20 after horror car accident in Nuevo León, Mexico

A family, the international rodeo community and an online community have been left devastated after a popular influencer suddenly died at the age of 20.

Valeria Mireles, known online as “Ms Rodeo”, was fatally injured in a car accident on Monday.

Local outlet N+ reported that the tragedy happened in the northeastern state of Nuevo León, Mexico. However, added there had been no official statement about the crash from authorities yet.

As news of the beloved influencer’s death spread, tributes flowed for a woman who “lit up every arena” with her smile.

Her uncle, David González Morton, took to Facebook to confirm the news, saying Ms Mireles will now “live in our hearts”.

“(My) niece Ana Valeria Mireles Villarreal, you will always live in our hearts,” González Morton wrote.

“We will miss you dearly.”

Her immediate family asked for privacy “at this difficult time”, a local outlet reported.

Ms Mireles, who was the Mexico Rodeo Queen of 2021 and 2022, frequently took to social media to share her life with nearly 100,000 followers. Her community loved seeing her unique day-to-day life of wrangling horses on the farm and competing in rodeo competitions.

The Mexican Rodeo Federation said: “Valeria was more than a rodeo queen; she was an ambassador of cowboy culture, an inspiration to many young women.”

“Her smile lit up every arena, and her passion for rodeo was contagious,” the federation’s statement continued.

“Although her passing leaves a void, her legacy will live on in our hearts and in the memory of rodeo.”

Ms Mireles’ close friend, Cindy, posted a heartfelt tribute to Ms Mireles, saying her memory will live on in every sunset.

“My little cowgirl, I lack words to describe how much your departure hurts us, you leave us with a huge void!” she wrote on Instagram.

“I am grateful that God allowed me to grow up with you and share so many good times, so many laughs and anecdotes that I will always carry with me.

“I will carry you in my memory and in my heart with that smiling and sweet face.

“Wherever you went, you lit up the room with your stage presence and your light.

“It’s not a goodbye, but a see you later... because in every sunset, in every joy and every breeze, I will feel you.

“We gained another angel, and heaven couldn’t be more lucky to have you.

“I love you so much, kiddo.”

Her post included several images, one including the young woman’s coffin covered in flowers and pictures of her with her horses and at her farm.

Ms Mireles had posted on social media just days before her tragic death.

Fans flocked to the post, sharing their shock and emotion following the death.

“I can’t believe it, this news left me in shock. Rest in peace Valeria,” one user wrote.

“Yesterday was good and today is gone. No one knows the day or the hour we will leave this plan of life. RIP,” wrote another.