Actress Anne Heche “not expected to survive” car crash, says family
The family of actress Anne Heche have released a statement saying that she is “not expected to survive” the fiery collision that saw her vehicle crash into a home in the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles last week.
At around 10:55 a.m. on Friday, Heche was pulled from her Mini Cooper and rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
In a tragic update, however, her family said via a representative that she had suffered “a severe anoxic brain injury” during the crash and was now on life support as doctors determine if her organs are viable for donation.
“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,” the statement read.
Anne Heche in critical condition, on ventilator after crash https://t.co/Gr6bTovFmY pic.twitter.com/ErkYJozY3a
— The Hill (@thehill) August 10, 2022
“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.”
It continued: “Anne had a huge heart and touched everyone she met with her generous spirit. 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.”
As we reported earlier this week, the Los Angeles Fire Department had told how the crash involving Heche had resulted in a “heavy fire” that required some 59 firefighters to put out and caused major structural damage.
On Monday, a representative of the 53-year-old, Michael McConnell, revealed that she had not regained consciousness since shortly after the accident.
McConnell a told news outlets: “She has a significant pulmonary injury requiring mechanical ventilation and burns that require surgical intervention.
“She is in a coma and has not regained consciousness since shortly after the accident.”
I feel grave concern for Anne Heche at this moment/ I have a prayer in my heart for all those afflicted with struggles that bring so much destruction and pain.
Wishing it were different for her and her loved ones. But I feel inky dark. Sad.
— Kiersten Warren (@KierstenWarren) August 11, 2022
Police revealed yesterday that they are in the process of investigating if Heche was impaired at the time of her crash.
Officer Annie Hernandez said: “Additional testing is required to rule out any substances that were administered in the hospital.”
Richard Glass, owner of a local salon where Heche had purchased a wig on Friday, shortly before the crash, told the Los Angeles Times that the actress had been in good spirits and did not appear to be intoxicated, though various other sources have speculated as to whether or not she had taken something before getting behind the wheel of her car.
A resident who lives in one of the homes neighboring the one Heche crashed into, said he was sitting at his desk on Friday when a car sped past his window.
David Manpearl told how he left his house after hearing the crash, only to find Heche’s Mini Cooper wedged in the back wall of his neighbor’s house and the owner of the home standing in the middle of her kitchen asking for help.
“She couldn’t move because the ceiling had come down, so there was all kinds of debris everywhere,” Manpearl said.
“It got to a point where there was fire everywhere. It was all around us,” he added.
EXCLUSIVE: Video shows the vehicle owned by actress Anne Heche speeding down a Mar Vista street moments before crashing into a home and sparking a fire. The story on @CBSLA 5pm. pic.twitter.com/1H93z5aVx7
— Rachel Kim (@CBSLARachel) August 5, 2022
Following the crash, tributes have flooded social media for Heche.
I’m very upset and sad that Anne Heche is not expected to live.And yes she would have been arrested for driving under the influence and putting lives in danger .she still is a great artist and struggled with addiction it’s terribly sad for her children and for her friends. ✌?
— ✌?rosanna arquette (@RoArquette) August 12, 2022
Anne Heche lost her brother in a car crash when she was just 13.
It happened just a few months after her father, who sexually abused her, died due to complications from HIV.
What a horrific way to leave this earth.
My heart breaks for her two sons. https://t.co/JuQWvu8Ias
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) August 12, 2022
Heche is best known for her role as twins Vicky Hudson and Marley Love in soap opera “Another World”. She also appeared in films such as “Donnie Brasco”, and “Six Days Seven Nights”.
Here’s to hoping Anne Heche can pull through.