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An Austin-area school for deaf students is mourning the loss of one of its seniors, actress Kaylee Hottle.
Hottle, who was a senior at the Texas School for the Deaf, died in a crash in Maryland, her father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed in a Facebook Live video posted early Tuesday.
"I am taking a flight that I never would like to take," Joshua Hottle wrote in the video's caption, sharing the update in American Sign Language.
Holding back tears, he thanked viewers as messages of support poured in for the 18-year-old actress, who appeared in the latest films in the "Godzilla x Kong" franchise.
Hottle appeared in 2021's "Godzilla vs. Kong" and 2024's "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire."
According to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, Hottle was one of three people involved in a single-vehicle crash overnight in Ijamsville, Md.
Investigators said a 19-year-old Frederick man was driving when the vehicle left the right side of the road and struck a culvert shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday. A preliminary investigation found that excessive speed is believed to have been a contributing factor.
Hottle was the only person who died in the crash.
The Texas School for the Deaf announced Hottle's death Tuesday morning, calling it a "tremendous loss" for the school community.
"Our hearts are with Kaylee's family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time," the school said in a statement, while asking the community to respect the family's privacy.
The school said counseling and support services will be available for students and staff. Community members filled the school's social media posts with messages of condolence for Hottle and her family.
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