The investigation into the car crash that killed 18-year-old actress Kaylee Hottle has ruled out alcohol impairment as a factor, according to local law enforcement. Hottle, who was a passenger in a 1995 Honda Accord, died from multiple blunt force injuries when the vehicle veered off the road and into a ditch in Maryland.
Authorities confirmed that speed was a contributing factor in the incident. The 19-year-old driver of the vehicle was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Results from a drug test on the driver are still pending. The driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and another passenger did not require medical treatment at the scene. Hottle's manner of death has been officially classified as accidental.
Hottle gained recognition for her role as Jia, a young girl who communicated with King Kong using sign language, in the 2021 film "Godzilla vs Kong" and its 2024 sequel, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire." Her father, Joshua Hottle, who is also deaf, announced her passing via a Facebook livestream, describing his journey from Texas to claim his daughter's body.
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a senior, also confirmed her death, expressing condolences to her family and friends. The school stated that limited information was available and requested privacy for the family, while offering counseling services to students and staff.
In a 2021 interview, Hottle discussed the challenges and rewards of her role, including translating ASL for the script and teaching her castmates sign language. Co-star Alexander Skarsgard praised her professionalism and talent, noting her comfort on camera and ability to take direction.
Hottle, who came from an all-deaf family, also appeared on an episode of "Magnum P.I." and participated in commercials and public service announcements aimed at the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. She was also a member of her school's track and field team.