The vehicle was one of 1.1 million part of a voluntary recall because of a shifter that gives “no tactile or position feedback as to whether the auto has been actually placed into the safe-to-exit “park” gear”. Many reported the vehicles rolled off after the driver exited.
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It reiterated its condolences to Yelchin’s family on Tuesday but has maintained it is “premature” to speculate on the cause of the actor’s death. “It’s against nature when a parent has to bury their own child”.
Anton died in his driveway on June 19, when his vehicle pinned him against a brick mailbox and security fence, according to a statement from LAPD spokesperson Jenny Hauser.
“He never cared about being a star”, Irina said, wiping tears from her eyes. “He loved life very much”.
She added that while her son was always special, “now he is very special, because his death may save other lives”.
Dordick alleged that Fiat Chrysler “put profits before safety”.
The wrongful death and product liability case filed by the Yelchins says the car’s mechanisms were defective, poorly designed and manufactured.
“FCA US LLC extends its sympathies to the Yelchin family for their tragic loss”, the company said.
The undated letter addressed Yelchin was shown at the news conference and stated that automobile may roll away, striking and injuring the driver, the passengers, or bystanders, if the car’s engine is left running, the parking brake is not engaged, and the transmission is not in the “PARK” position before exiting the vehicle.
“FCA US urges customers to follow the instructions in their owner manuals and the information cards sent with their recall notices”. In the notice addressed to Yelchin, the manufacturers promised to add an “Auto Park” feature to the vehicle to fix the issue. Dordick said it was unclear whether Yelchin ever saw that notice, as it was not found in his effects after his death.
“Anton Yelchin was crushed and lingered alive for some time, trapped and suffocating until his death”, the lawsuit read.
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The issue has been tied to a minimum of 68 injuries, 266 crashes and 308 reports of property damage.
