Actress Anne Heche not expected to survive crash, family says

Emmy Award-winning actress Anne Heche suffered an “anoxic” brain injury after crashing a car into a home in Los Angeles last week and is not expected to survive, according to her family.

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“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,” Holly Baird, a representative for the 53-year-old actress’ family said in a statement Thursday night. “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.”

Anoxic injuries occur when the brain is cut off from oxygen, causing cell death, according to NBC News.

According to KCBS-TV, a blue 2020 Mini Cooper owned by the “Another World” soap opera star was traveling at a high rate of speed when it went off the road at a T intersection and slammed into a two-story Mar Vista home on Aug. 5, setting the vehicle on fire.

The accident occurred at about 11 a.m. PDT, Los Angeles police Officer Tony Im told The Associated Press.

Heche’s vehicle stopped inside the home and started a fire that took 59 firefighters 65 minutes to fully contain and extinguish, the Los Angeles Times reported. According to KTTV, Heche was alone in the car at the time of the crash and was pulled out of the car by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The homeowner, who was in the backyard when the crash occurred, was not injured, according to KNBC-TV.

Heche was still on life support as of late Thursday, People and KCBS reported. According to Baird, it “has long been her choice to donate her organs” and doctors are determining “if any are viable.”

“Anne had a huge heart and touched everyone she met with her generous spirit,” Baird said. “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.”

Earlier Thursday, police in Los Angeles said that Heche was being investigated for felony driving under the influence, KABC reported.

Police said Heche had drugs in her system at the time of the crash, NBC News reported.

“In preliminary testing, the blood draw revealed the presence of drugs,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement.

Police could not “comment right now on the presence of cocaine, fentanyl or alcohol at this time,” department officials added. “That will be determined by the second test.”

Heche is known for her roles as Vicky Hudson and Marley Love in “Another World” and won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991, the Times reported.

Her film credits include roles in “Donnie Brasco,” “Six Days Seven Nights” and “Return to Paradise,” according to IMDB.com.

She also appeared in the television series “All Rise” and “Chicago P.D.,” according to the Times.

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Photos: Anne Heche through the years Here are some photos of actress Anne Heche through the years. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

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