Kaylee Hottle, an 18-year-old Korean American actress known for her roles in the Godzilla film series, died early on July 21 in a car accident in Maryland, authorities said. Hottle and another passenger, singer Yuna, were riding in a 1995 Honda Accord driven by a 19-year-old man when the vehicle veered off a highway and struck a culvert, according to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.

Police indicated that excessive speed is believed to have been a contributing factor in the crash, which occurred around 2:52 a.m. local time. Emergency responders arrived promptly at the scene. Hottle was transported to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The driver sustained injuries that are not considered life-threatening, while the other passenger declined medical treatment.

Hottle, who was deaf, gained recognition for her portrayal of Jia in the 2021 film "Godzilla vs. Kong" and its 2024 sequel "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire." In early 2024, she received a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor. Her father, Joshua Hottle, announced her passing through a video posted on Facebook using American Sign Language.

The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a student, described her death as a “tremendous loss” and extended condolences to her family, friends, and classmates. The school requested privacy for her family and urged the public to avoid speculation regarding the circumstances of the accident, noting that limited information is currently available.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident.