A catastrophic car accident caused Anne Heche to pass away at the age of 53. Her death's cause has now been made known. Page Six claims that Heche's death was caused by smoke inhalation and the thermal injuries she suffered in her car accident on August 5. Her death, which was determined to be accidental, was associated with a sternal fracture brought on by blunt trauma, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner-coroner.

Sternal fractures are caused when a person's chest strikes the steering wheel, and female drivers are somewhat more likely to sustain one than male drivers, according to Page Six. After matching with a recipient of an organ donation, Heche, who was pronounced brain dead on August 12, had her life support removed on August 15. "We have 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," Heche's representative told Page Six at the time.

They added, "Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact."

On the afternoon of August 5, the Emmy winner slammed her Mini Cooper into a Mar Vista neighbourhood house in Los Angeles, starting a fire. According to the eyewitness, she struck a neighbouring apartment complex's garage head-on before backing up and speeding away.

Officials from the West Traffic Division of the Los Angeles Police Department already confirmed she struck another car before ramming into the burning residence. According to Heche's counsel, she sustained severe burns that needed surgical treatment, a significant lung injury that necessitated mechanical ventilation, and anoxic brain damage that required immediate medical attention.

The actor slipped into a coma and never regained consciousness. Investigators were reportedly able to determine that she was under the influence of cocaine at the time of the crash. Heche is survived by 20-year-old son Homer Laffoon, whom she co-parented with ex-husband Coleman 'Coley' Laffoon, and 13-year-old son Atlas Heche Tupper, whom she shared with ex-boyfriend James Tupper.

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