The Daily Populous Wednesday July 22nd, 2026 morning edition
Authored by abcnews.com and submitted by Warcraft_Fan

Actress Kaylee Hottle, known for her starring role in two "Godzilla" movies, died Tuesday in a car accident in Maryland at the age of 18, according to police.

The Frederick County Sheriff's Office confirmed to ABC News that Hottle was one of two passengers in a car involved in a fatal single-vehicle collision early Tuesday morning.

Hottle was the only person in the car who died. A 19-year-old man, who was not identified, was driving the car and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.

Actress Kaylee Hottle attends the world premiere of "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood on March 25, 2024. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Excessive speed is “believed to be a contributing factor in the collision,” police said.

Hottle was born into an all-deaf family that spans four generations on her father's side, according to her IMDb.

The actress was best known for her role as Jia in the 2021 movie "Godzilla vs. Kong" and the 2024 sequel, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire."

In a March 2024 interview on "Good Morning America," Hottle described what her classmates thought of her "Godzilla" roles.

"They think it's super cool," she said. "They're seeing one of their friends on the big screen, and it's alongside Kong too."

Kaylee Hottle, as Jia, in a scene from "Godzilla vs. Kong." Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures via AP

Hottle's father Joshua said in a Facebook video Tuesday that he was flying to Maryland after learning of his daughter's death.

"I am taking a flight that I never would like to take," he captioned the video, in which he used American Sign Language.

Hottle's school, Texas School for the Deaf, paid tribute to the 18-year-old on Tuesday.

The school said Hottle was enrolled there as a senior and described her death as a "tremendous loss" in a social media post.

"Our hearts are with Kaylee's family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time," the school wrote, adding, "Please keep Kaylee's loved ones in your thoughts as we mourn this tremendous loss together."

ABC News has reached out to Hottle's representative and father for comment.

Obsidian-Purrr on July 21st, 2026 at 23:02 UTC »

As a deaf person myself, I’m gutted. Her positivity was contagious and she overcame obstacles at such a young age, my thoughts are with her and the family as well as the Deaf community :(

Browzur on July 21st, 2026 at 22:43 UTC »

This is horrible. She had such a bright future. Kind of odd that every article is getting her age wrong though, she turned 19 in May

Soloact_ on July 21st, 2026 at 22:42 UTC »

Rest easy. Eighteen is far, far too young.