ACTRESS Kaylee Hottle has died at just 18 after suffering fatal injuries in a car accident.

Kaylee was a deaf artist best known for playing Jia in the Godzilla movies.

Kaylee Hottle has died at the age of 18

Kaylee played Jia in Godzilla

Fredrick, Maryland law enforcement sources first confirmed to The U.S. Sun that Kaylee was involved in a fatal accident.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland said that Kaylee was pronounced dead on Tuesday morning.

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office told The U.S. Sun in a statement that the tragic teen was a passenger in a car that swerved off the road around 3 am in Ijamsville.

“A 1995 Honda Accord, operated by a 19-year-old Frederick man traveled off the right side of the two-lane roadway and struck a culvert,” police said in the statement.

“Excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision.”

Kaylee is the only fatality in the single-vehicle crash, while the driver was taken to the hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, cops said.

Her father, Joshua Hottle, revealed the tragic news of her passing on Tuesday, as first reported by TMZ.

He announced the heartbreaking news in an emotional 23-minute-long live stream on Facebook.

Kaylee was spotted in a commercial which led to her landing the role of Jia in the Godzilla movies

In the caption of the stream, he penned: “I am taking a flight that I never would like to take.”

Explaining in American Sign Language, he revealed that he had to fly to Maryland to claim her body after being notified of her death.

He revealed that Kaylee was involved in a serious car accident, and officials called him to notify him that her heart stopped on the way to the hospital.

Her former school, Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, Texas, later released a statement about Kaylee’s death.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that one of our TSD seniors, Kaylee Hottle, tragically passed away yesterday in a car accident in Frederick, Maryland.

“Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time.

“At this time, we have very limited information and ask that everyone respect the privacy of Kaylee’s family and refrain from sharing or speculating about the circumstances surrounding the accident.

“We recognize this loss will have a significant impact on our TSD community.

She starred in Godzilla Vs. Kong alongside Brian Tyree Henry, Fala Chen, Rebecca Hall and Dan Stevens

“Counseling and support services are available for students and staff who may need them, with additional support being provided for Kaylee’s classmates and friends.

“Please keep Kaylee’s loved ones in your thoughts as we mourn this tremendous loss together.”

Her English teacher Mali Shadi Nikkhah also shared a personal tribute to Kaylee.

Taking to Facebook she wrote: “My heart is SOOOOO broken.

“Kaylee Hottle was absolutely a joy to have as both my English student and Debate Bowl student. I’m thinking of her family and everyone who loved her during this incredibly difficult time.

“One of my fondest memories was traveling with her to Gallaudet University. We talked about so many things, from God to her family, to her friends, to her future goals.

“She was so easy to talk to, and those conversations are something I’ll always cherish.

“Kaylee came to my classroom during lunch and study hall just to prepare for Debate Bowl.

“We’d spend HOURS practicing, going over arguments, talking through ideas, and sometimes we’d end up talking about life instead.

“She worked sooo hard and always wanted to improve, and it was really special watching her grow this past year.

“She had such a BRIGHT future ahead of her, and I was so looking forward to having her again in my Honors English class for her senior year this fall. I couldn’t wait to see how much more she would grow, both as a student and as a person.

“I’m utterly heartbroken that we won’t get that chance.

“I feel so lucky that I got to be part of her journey. Rest easy, Kaylee. You’ll always have a special place in my heart,” she concluded.

Kaylee’s Godzilla co-star Millie Bobby Brown also spoke out about the tragedy on Tuesday afternoon.

“I’m so devastated to hear this,” she wrote on Instagram. “You will be deeply missed Kaylee.”

Kaylee’s career kicked off in 2017 for a commercial for the video relay service Convo.

Her big break then came when she landed the role of Jia in the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong.

Casting-director Sarah Halley Finn was looking for a deaf actress for the character, and was guided to Kaylee by an assistant director who saw her in the Convo commercial.

After her success in the 2021 flick, she reprised her role as Jia for the 2024 film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

For her second Godzilla movie, she was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor.

Kaylee is also credited with an appearance in the Magnum P.I. reboot series.

Source: https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/16725377/kaylee-hottle-dead-godzilla-vs-kong/