The Another World star was taken to hospital last Friday (August 5) with serious burns after she crashed her car into a house in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles, which then caught fire. She later fell into a coma and was in “critical condition,” her representatives told the media. Now, according to a statement her family shared with the Press Association, Heche suffered “severe anoxic brain damage” and is “not expected to survive” the accident. “We want to thank everyone for their kind wishes and prayers for Anne’s recovery and thank the dedicated staff and wonderful nurses who cared for Anne at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, as a result of her accident, Anne Heche suffered severe anoxic brain damage and remains in a coma, in critical condition. He is not expected to survive,” he continued. “It had long been her choice to donate her organs and she is being kept on life support to see if any are viable,” her family said, adding: “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 on accepting what you love. “She will be remembered for her courageous honesty and greatly missed for her light,” the statement concluded. It comes shortly after the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) told The Associated Press that the crash is being investigated as a felony DUI. Detectives with a search warrant took a sample of Hetse’s blood and found drugs in her system, LAPD Officer Jeff Lee told the news agency. But toxicology tests, which could take weeks to complete, the AP reported, must be done to more clearly identify the drugs and differentiate them from any drugs she may have been given for treatment at the hospital. Earlier Thursday (August 11), an LAPD source cited by TMZ claimed that there was cocaine and fentanyl in Heche’s system. The TMZ report said law enforcement officials tested Heche’s blood after she was admitted to the hospital, meaning fentanyl could have been in her system if it was prescribed as a pain reliever after the accident. The Independent has contacted representatives for Heche for comment. Heche’s former partner, Ellen DeGeneres, was recently asked if she shared well wishes with her ex following the accident. “Sure,” he replied, “I don’t want anyone to get hurt.” Keeping her comments brief, DeGeneres added, “We’re not in touch with each other, so I wouldn’t know,” after being asked if she had been in contact with Heche since the crash. The talk show host dated Heche from 1997 to 2000. Heche is under investigation for DUI and hit-and-run for the crash that occurred when her car went off the road at a T intersection, police said. No arrests have been made in the case, which is still under investigation. Additional reports from agencies
