Beauty queen Sarah J. Richardson resigns her title after causing four-car pile-up while drunk-driving

A Miss America hopeful in New Mexico who was arrested for drunk driving has voluntarily tued in her crown.

Sarah J. Richardson, who was crowned Mss Las Cruces, offered her resignation after driving her PT Cruiser into a light pole.

The 22-year-old beauty queen is pictured in a mug shot taken earlier this week smiling – a far cry from the usual frown seen in other booking photos.

Richardson’s accident caused a power outage to around 1,700 customers and damaged several cars, according to the Las Cruces Sun-News.

However, the lights were back on the following day.

Richardson issued a statement saying that her actions ‘are not congruous with the actions of a Miss America candidate, and I realize that at this time I must step back and reflect, prioritize my life, and accept the consequences.’

She continued: ‘I am very sincerely sorry for those that I have let down in this incident.’

The winsome brunette had won the title on November 3 and won a $100 scholarship certificate for school, according to kfoxtv.com.

Forfeit: Richardson, right, pictured with Miss New Mexico; she resigned her crown and is no longer allowed to try for further titles, including Miss America

Aleigha DiRenzo, the executive director for Miss Las Cruces, told kfoxtv.com that this was a ‘bad mistake’ on Richardson’s part.

The Miss New Mexico and Miss America boards had been discussing whether or not they let Richardson keep the title, but on Wednesday, accepted her resignation.

The runner-up in the pageant, Taylor Rey, has been named the new Miss Las Cruces 2013.