Actress Kaylee Hottle, 18, dies in Maryland car crash

Eighteen-year-old American actress Kaylee Hottle, who gained recognition for her roles as Jia in the recent "Godzilla" films, has died following a car accident in Maryland. The incident occurred early Tuesday morning when the vehicle she was traveling in, a 1995 Honda Accord, veered off a two-lane road and crashed into a ditch.

Hottle was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle sustained injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, while another passenger declined medical treatment. The sheriff's office in Frederick County is investigating the circumstances of the crash.

Known for her portrayal of the deaf character Jia in "Godzilla vs. Kong" and "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," Hottle's performance earned her a Saturn Award nomination for Best Young Performance in 2024. Her father, Joshua Hottle, announced her death in an emotional video posted on Facebook, delivered in sign language.

The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a student, memorialized her on social media, calling her passing a "huge loss." Her career, though brief, made a significant impact, particularly in her representation of a deaf character in major Hollywood productions.