The SUV that killed a Star Trek actor when it rolled onto him was one of the vehicles being recalled due to problems involving unexpected movement.
The fatality occurred as a result of Anton Yelchin’s 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee car rolling backward down his steep driveway, crushing him against a brick mailbox pillar and a security fence, according to Officer Jenny Houser of the LAPD’s Media Relations Section.
“It appeared that he momentarily exited his car, leaving the driveway,” Houser said of the Sunday accident.
That model vehicle is currently under recall because its gear shifters have confused some drivers and caused vehicles to roll away unexpectedly, according to broadcast reports.
Fiat Chrysler, which owns Jeep, issued a statement Monday saying that the company is investigating the incident and it was too early to speculate. The company expressed sympathy for Yelchin’s family.
Condolences were being posted on social media Monday by people who knew and worked with Yelchin, the day after he died from blunt traumatic asphyxia when he was pinned between the rear of his vehicle and the gate of his Studio City home.
Yelchin, 27, was pronounced dead at 1:10 a.m. Sunday at his home in the 3800 block of Berry Drive, Investigator Selena Barros of the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said. The coroner’s office ruled the death an accident, according to its website.
“RIP Anton Yelchin. I had the pleasure of meeting this gifted young man…Condolences to friends/family,” wrote actor Orlando Jones.
“Anton was a sweetheart. Absolutely a great creative partner and artist,” wrote director Guillermo del Toro.
“Anton Yelchin was one of my best friends. Can’t say anything that conveys what this feels like,” wrote actor Kat Dennings.
Yelchin, who was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, portrayed Chekov in the latest installment of the “Star Trek” films and appeared in such films as “Alpha Dog,” “Terminator Salvation” and “Charlie Bartlett.”
He was supposed to meet up with friends for rehearsal Sunday, Houser said. When he did not show up, his friends went to his home and found him dead by his vehicle.
An only child, Yelchin was six months old when he moved with his family to the U.S. in September 1989. His mother worked as a figure skating choreographer and his father as a figure skating coach.
–Staff and wire reports