Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Anne Heche crashed her car into a Los Angeles home on Aug. 5, 2022 She was pronounced dead about a week later at 53 years old Heche died from injuries sustained in the crash It's been three years since actressAnne Heche's deadly car accident. On Aug. 5, 2022, Heche was driving her Mini Cooper through Los Angeles' Mar Vista neighborhood when shecrashed into a residential home. The impact caused a fire that engulfed both her vehicle and the house. First responders were able to rescue Heche from the wreckage, and she was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite efforts to stabilize her, Heche never regained consciousness. On Aug. 11, 2022, she wasdeclared legally dead. "Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother and a loyal friend," a rep for theSix Days Seven Nightsstar told PEOPLE at the time in a statement on behalf of Heche's family and friends. So what happened during Anne Heche's fatal accident? Here's everything to know about the actress' car crash and final days. Isa Foltin/Getty Heche was involved in a high-speed, single-car crash in the Mar Vista neighborhood of L.A. on Aug. 5, 2022. She was driving her Mini Cooper when she veered off the road and crashed into a residential home. The impact ignited a massive fire that engulfed the car and the house. It took emergency responders at least 45 minutes to fully extinguish the flames and extricate Heche from the wreckage. Heche was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. She never regained consciousness. A week later, on August 11, Heche was pronounced legally dead under California law. Her life support was maintained until August 14 tocomplete organ donation, per her wishes. The Los Angeles County Medical Examinerruled her death an accident, with the official cause listed as smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, and a sternum fracture as a contributing factor. The actress wasnot impaired by drugsat the time of her crash, per a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner which was obtained by PEOPLE. Stewart Cook/Shutterstock After her car crash on Aug. 5, 2022, Heche was first taken to the emergency room at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. She was then transferred to the Grossman Burn Center, perNBC4 Los Angeles. On August 11, she was declared legally dead. She remained on life support until August 14 to allow for organ donation. Heche is survived by her two children: son Homer, whom she shared with her ex-husband,Coleman "Coley" Laffoon, and her son Atlas, whom she welcomed with ex-boyfriendJames Tupper. Following Heche's death, Homer released a statement to PEOPLE that read: "My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom. After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness. Hopefully,my mom is free from painand beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom." Days later, another statement on behalf of Homer detailed his mom'sburial arrangements. "My brother Atlas and I want to thank all the amazing people at Hollywood Forever [Cemetery] for their kindness, compassion and generosity of spirit," the statement read. "We are convinced our Mom would love the site we have chosen for her; it's beautiful, serene and she will be among her Hollywood peers." It continued, "Most importantly, Hollywood Forever is a living place, where people attend movies and concerts and other events. She was our Mom, but the kindness and the outpouring of the past few days reminded us that she also belongs to her fans, to the entertainment community, and now, to the ages." On Jan. 24, 2023 — the release date of Heche's posthumous memoirCall Me Anne— Atlas publicly remembered his mother for the first time since her death."My mom was the brightest person I've ever known," he told theLos Angeles Inquisitor. "She always knew how to solve a problem or help a friend. She always knew the right thing to do. I cannot put into words how grateful I am or how much I miss her." Michael Bezjian/Getty Many in Hollywood — including former costars and collaborators — sharedheartfelt tributes honoring Heche, in statements to PEOPLE and across social media. "I'm very sad to hear of the tragic passing of Anne Heche," her costarRobert De Nirotold PEOPLE. "She was a wonderful actress, and I enjoyed working with her tremendously inWag the Dog. Sad! Sad! Sad!" Keo Motsepe, Heche's formerDancing with the Starspartner, posted a brief but emotional message on Instagram, writing, "I love you @anneheche." Dancing With the StarsjudgeCarrie Ann Inabaalso honored Heche onInstagram. "Anne was one of the stars on @dancingwiththestars that truly touched my heart. Her personal story was one that reached into my heart and squeezed it. I could feel the pain she felt, and I could also feel her resilient and courageous soul. And it was touching," she wrote. Meanwhile, Heche'sCatfightcostarAlicia Silverstonepenned onher account, "She was my favorite actress that I have ever worked with ... So present alive sharp passionate compelling complicated an extraordinary scene partner." © Buena Vista/courtesy Everett Collection Following the actress' death, her family and friends shared a statement with PEOPLE, which highlighted "her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work and her passionate advocacy." "Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact," they continued. Heche enjoyed a decades-long career that spanned television, film and stage. She first gained widespread recognition with her dual role on the soap operaAnother World, followed by standout performances in films likeVolcano,Wag the Dog,I Know What You Did Last Summer,Six Days, Seven Nightsand the 1998 remake ofPsycho. Heche made her Broadway debut in the 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning playProof. In 2004, she took the stage alongsideAlec BaldwininTwentieth Century, a performance that earned her aTony Awardnomination. That same year, she earned anEmmy Awardnomination for her supporting role inGracie's Choice.She later starred in the ABC romantic dramedyMen in Treesfrom 2006 to 2008. She was also the recipient of GLAAD's Stephen F. Kolzak Award in 2000, which is given to a member of the LGBTQ+ community who has promoted acceptance. Heche, who datedEllen DeGeneresfrom 1997 to 2000, was part of one of thefirst openly gay female couplesin Hollywood. Heche also wrote two memoirs:Call Me Crazy, released in 2001, andCall Me Anne, released posthumously in 2023. Read the original article onPeople
