Former child actor Macaulay Culkin’s sister, Dakota, has passed away Wednesday after being hit by a car in Los Angeles Tuesday.
Law enforcement sources say that 29-year-old Dakota was hit after she stepped in front of a car in west Los Angeles. She was walking on Los Angeles’ Westside on Tuesday just before 11:00 AM when she stepped off a curb and was struck by the vehicle. Police say the driver stopped and tried to help her.
After suffering massive head injuries in the accident, Dakota was taken to the UCLA Medical Center, where she died of her injuries Wednesday afternoon, said Police spokesman Richard French. Macaulay’s spokeswoman, Michelle Bega, says: “We can officially confirm that the victim is Dakota Culkin. This is a terrible tragic accident. We have no further comment at this time.”
According to a report from Extra, LAPD told it that the driver was not driving drunk, was not at fault and followed all laws. So far, no arrests have been made. “The driver stopped, rendered aid, and identified himself as required by law. Detectives have determined that the driver was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, so no crime was committed,” the LAPD said in a statement.
Macaulay is perhaps best known for portraying Kevin McCallister in “Home Alone” and the title character of “Richie Rich.” At the height of his fame he was regarded as the most successful child actor since Shirley Temple.
Five of Macaulay’s siblings, Shane (born 1976), Quinn (born 1984), Kieran (born 1982), Christian (born 1987) and Rory (born 1989), also tried their hands in Hollywood. Dakota (born 1979) was the sole Culkin kid who stayed out of the spotlight.
Macaulay is the third Hollywood celebrity who has lost a family member violently in recent weeks. First US singer-actress Jennifer Hudson’s brother, mother and nephew were shot to death in October; then actor Mark Ruffalo’s brother, Scott, has died early this week after being shot in the head; and now McCauley’s sister, Dakota.
