Anne Heche is "not expected to survive" following a horrific car crash that left her in a coma, according to her family.
The US actress was reported to have suffered "severe anoxic brain injury" and remains in critical condition after the incident which took place last Friday. The 53-year-old was transported to hospital following the crash in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed that the incident was being investigated as a felony driving under the influence (DUI) traffic collision. A spokesperson for the LAPD said preliminary blood tests had revealed the presence of drugs in Heche's system.
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However, they noted that additional testing was required to rule out any substances that were administered to her in the hospital. A statement shared on behalf of her family confirmed Heche was being kept on life support temporarily.
The statement reads: "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. 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 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 continues: "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.”
Pictures and video footage obtained by US media outlet TMZ showed Ms Heche driving a blue Mini Cooper which was later damaged at the scene. The vehicle struck a two-storey home and "erupted in heavy fire" according to the LAPD.
It took 59 firefighters 65 minutes to access, confine and extinguish the flames, according to an LAPD report.
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