No Drugs or Alcohol Found in Driver's System in Fatal Crash Involving "Godzilla vs. Kong" Actress Kaylee Hottle
Toxicology results for the driver in the July accident that killed 18-year-old Kaylee Hottle have come back clean, according to authorities.
Toxicology reports for the driver involved in the fatal car crash that killed "Godzilla vs. Kong" actress Kaylee Hottle have revealed no drugs or alcohol in the driver's system. The 19-year-old driver's test results came back clean, according to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office in Maryland, as reported by TMZ on Monday.
Alcohol impairment had previously been ruled out as a factor in the crash days after it occurred, confirmed by the Sheriff's Office to the Daily Mail.
The accident took place on July 21, when Hottle, 18, was a passenger in a 1995 Honda Accord that veered off the road and into a ditch in Maryland. Local law enforcement indicated that speed was a contributing factor. The driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and another passenger at the scene did not require treatment.
Hottle's cause of death was later determined by the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to be from "multiple blunt force injuries," with her manner of death classified as accidental.
Kaylee Hottle was known for her role as Jia, a young deaf 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 ability to use American Sign Language (ASL) in her role, with support from her parents and interpreters, presented unique challenges and learning opportunities on set. Hottle had shared that she helped teach her castmates ASL and facial expressions.
Alexander Skarsgard, who starred alongside Hottle, praised her performance in 2021, calling her "the star of the movie" and noting her professionalism and expressiveness on camera. He also learned ASL to communicate with her.
Kaylee Hottle, who hailed from an all-deaf family, also appeared on an episode of "Magnum P.I." and was involved in commercials and public service announcements for organizations supporting the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. She was also a member of her school's track and field team.
It remains unclear whether the teenage driver will face criminal charges.
