General Hospital star Haley Pullos, 24, says she is 'taking time away' from soap opera after DUI

A General Hospital star charged with DUI after an accident in California last month has been replaced on the show, with her character now being played by a strikingly similar actress.

Haley Pullos, 24, seriously injured another driver in the April 29 crash, and had to be pulled from her own vehicle by jaws of life.

Last week Pullos announced she would be taking a leave of absence from the show while she recovers from the crash - with no set date for a return. 

It emerged on Wednesday that Pullos' role in the long-running soap opera has been given to a lookalike actress, Holiday Mia Kriegel.

A spokesperson for ABC said the network would not be commenting on the situation at this time.

Haley Pullos (left) has already been replaced in the soap opera after being arrested last month - her character will now be played by Holiday Mia Kriegel (right)

Pasadena Fire Department shared images of the scene on their social media, urging people to think twice before getting behind the wheel

Holiday Mia Kriegel (pictured) has now replaced Pullos on General Hospital while she recovers

Pullos had been traveling on the 134 Freeway in California just before 1.30am on April 29 and was involved in a head-on collision.

She collided with an Oldsmobile driven by a 27-year-old woman from Fontana in the westbound lane, before crossing over the median strip. 

The Oldsmobile driver did not suffer serious injuries. 

The actress swerved and ended up in the eastbound lane, colliding with an oncoming Kia moving at 60mph.

The 23-year-old male driving the Kia was left with major injuries.

According to a police report, Pullos was unable to get out of her 2019 Ford. 

Pasadena Fire Department had to use jaws of life to extract Pullos from her vehicle before she was taken to Huntington Hospital. 

When firefighters did manage to rescue her she became aggressive, hitting one and shouting: 'This is a $400 f****** shirt.' 

Police searched her vehicle and discovered marijuana edibles and mini bottles of tequila. She was taken to hospital before being arrested for DUI. 

While in hospital she allegedly became aggressive once more and fought hospital staff, before she had to be sedated.

Images shared by Pasadena Fire Department show the horrific damage caused by the late-night incident, which both drivers were lucky to have survived.

The front of the cars are completely obliterated, with debris from the crash strewn across the highway. 

Alongside their post, the department said: 'Arriving units found two vehicles involved, with one person trapped, after a reported head-on collision. 

'Fire personnel extricated one person from a vehicle and provided patient care and hospital transport for the occupants of both vehicles.

'Always a reminder to stay within the speed limit, avoid drinking and driving and never be distracted by passengers, phones, etc.'

The horrific collision happened in the early hours of April 29 on the 134 Freeway, California

Pullos, pictured in August of last year, has been arrested for DUI over the incident 

The front of both cars are completely destroyed, with debris from the collision spread across the freeway 

Both Pullos and the  other driver survived the collision, with the latter sustaining major injuries

Police say that after being rescued from her own vehicle Pullos was aggressive  

Pullos, pictured here, has starred on the soap show General Hospital since 2009

Pictured: Pullos attends the 10th annual REIMAGINE Gala in Los Angeles, May 2022

Pullos, pictured here on General Hospital, has now said she would not be appearing on the soap due to recovering from a crash

In a statement issued last week, Pullos said: 'Unfortunately, I was involved in an automobile accident and I'm doing okay, but I am going to need a little time to recover. 

'I will be back as soon as possible!' 

Pullos has played Molly Lansing-Davis on General Hospital since 2009.

She has also appeared in an episode of medical drama House, and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2015 for her role on General Hospital.

Her replacement, Kriegel, had previously worked on CBS show Bull, alongside Michael Weatherly, as well as TNT series Animal Kingdom.

She will appear as Lansing-Davis beginning May 22. 

Kriegel's father Mark is a sports writer, and columnist on ESPN. 

Kriegel is not the only new face on the soap.

Kate Mansi is joining the cast on May 22 in the role of Kristina Davis Corinthos, replacing Lexi Ainsworth.