Harrowing images have emerged from the scene of a fatal car crash that claimed the life of 18-year-old actress Kaylee Hottle. Hottle, who gained recognition for her role as Jia in the 2021 film "Godzilla vs Kong" and its 2024 sequel, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," was a passenger in a 1995 Honda Accord when it veered off the road and crashed into a ditch on Tuesday in Frederick, Maryland. Local law enforcement indicated that speed was a factor in the accident.
Two other individuals were in the vehicle at the time of the crash. The driver, a 19-year-old, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and another passenger did not require medical treatment at the scene, according to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. Photos of the vehicle show significant damage to the front of the Honda Accord, with the hood crushed and the bumper nearly destroyed.
Kaylee Hottle's father, Joshua Hottle, shared the news of her death in a Facebook livestream, describing his need to travel from Texas to claim his daughter's body. He communicated via American Sign Language that he was informed of his daughter's passing after her heart stopped en route to the hospital.
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a senior, also announced her passing on Facebook, expressing profound sadness and offering support to the school community. The school requested privacy for Hottle's family and asked that speculation about the accident be refrained from.
Hottle was known for her portrayal of Jia, a young girl who communicated with King Kong using sign language. She told The Daily Moth in 2021 that she and Kong had a "special bond" and that the script's sign language translation presented challenges, requiring adjustments to ASL grammar and expression. Hottle also shared that she taught her co-stars how to sign and that the cast and crew were accommodating.
Co-star Alexander Skarsgård praised Hottle's performance in 2021, calling her the "star of the movie" and noting her comfort and professionalism on set. He also learned American Sign Language to communicate with her.
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 for organizations supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. She was also a member of her school's track and field team.