Anne Heche Dead at 53 After Car Crash

Anne Heche, who was hospitalized after crashing her vehicle into a Los Angeles home last Friday, has died. She was 53.

The news comes after Heche's family and friends issued a statement saying the actress was "not expected to survive" her injuries from the crash, which included anoxic brain injury, pulmonary injury, and severe burns.

A representative for the family confirmed to People on Thursday that Heche is legally dead per the state of California and remains on life support for organ donation. "It has long been her choice to donate her organs and she is being kept on life support to determine if any are viable," the statement said.

In a Friday statement, her family said, "Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend. Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through 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."

The car crash occurred in the Mar Vista neighborhood of L.A. Witnesses saw Heche driving her blue Mini Cooper through a residential neighborhood and crash into the garage of an apartment complex. According to those witnesses, she then reversed and drove off before crashing into a home, which caught fire and resulted in burn injuries to Heche, who was pulled out of the vehicle.

A woman inside the home also suffered minor injuries, according to CNN.

Since that time, Heche had remained in critical condition and had not regained consciousness.

The actress is survived by her two sons, Homer and Atlas, and will be remembered for her roles in film and television.

Heche's rise to fame began on the soap opera Another World, in which she played two roles — twins Vicky Hudson and Marley Love — from 1987 to 1991. She has also appeared in a number of other series, including, Ally McBeal, Everwood, Nip/Tuck, Men in Trees, Hung, The Michael J. Fox Show, and more.

Heche's film career included roles in Donnie Brasco, Volcano, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Six Days, Seven Nights, and Return to Paradise.

Heche was also set to appear in The Weeknd's new series, The Idol, and an upcoming Lifetime TV movie, Girl in Room 13, which airs in September.

Deena ElGenaidi's writing has been featured in Nylon, MTV News, Insider, The AV Club, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @deenaelg.