Anne Heche suffered a severe brain injury after a fiery car crash in Los Angeles last week and is not expected to survive, according to a representative for the Hollywood star.
The award-winning actress is currently in a coma and on life support at the hospital as doctors determine if her organs are viable for donation, according to a statement from her representation. Heche, 53, crashed her car into a home in Mar Vista, California, on Aug. 5. Police are investigating the crash as a felony vehicular accident after her blood tests showed signs that she was impaired.
“Unfortunately, due to her accident, Anne Heche suffered a severe anoxic brain injury and remains in a coma, in critical condition. She is not expected to survive,” a statement from her representative read, according to TMZ.
“It has long been her choice to donate her organs and she is being kept on life support to determine if any are viable,” the statement continued, adding, “We want to thank everyone for their kind wishes and prayers for Anne’s recovery and thank the dedicated staff and wonderful nurses that cared for Anne at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills hospital.”
ANNE HECHE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR FELONY DUI AFTER FIERY CAR CRASH
In the hours after the crash, Heche was initially said to be in stable condition and “expected to recover.” A representative for the Emmy-winning actress later explained that her condition was much more dire, saying that Heche had “a significant pulmonary injury requiring mechanical ventilation and burns that require surgical intervention.”
Heche was allegedly involved in at least two separate hit and run crashes in her Mini Cooper on Friday before she wrecked into a home causing a fire, according to TMZ.
Surveillance footage purportedly showed her car traveling at a high rate of speed through a residential area before the fiery crash.
According to Jeff Lee, an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, Heche’s “blood showed signs of impairment, and that is why it is now being investigated as a felony traffic collision.”
“The blood draw results showed a presence of narcotics, but additional testing is required to rule out any substances that were administered in the hospital,” added Officer Annie Hernandez.
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A woman in the home sustained minor injuries for which she sought medical attention, according to a report.
“More than her extraordinary talent, she saw spreading kindness and joy as her life’s work —especially moving the needle for acceptance of who you love. She will be remembered for her courageous honesty and dearly missed for her light,” the statement from her representative concludes.