Anton Yelchin, a rising actor best known for playing Chekov in the new “Star Trek” films, was killed by his own vehicle as it rolled down his driveway, police and his publicist said.
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If you are the owner of one of the recalled vehicles or a model that has a similar shifter, Consumer Reports advises that you always double check that the auto is in park and get in the habit of using the emergency brake anytime you’re stepping out of a auto.
Fiat Chrysler “extends its most honest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Yelchin”, the automaker said in a statement.
He did not show up for a rehearsal so friends got anxious and went to his house and found him pinned between his SUV and his security gate.
In a statement FCA said it is in contact with the authorities and “is conducting a thorough investigation”.
“Mean Girls” actress Lindsay Lohan paid tribute to actor “Star Trek” actor Anton Yelchin and blamed Hollywood for the accident which killed him.
FCA had identified 212 crashes, 308 claims of property damage and 41 injuries related to the issue, according to its April 12 submission to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Sadly he was found dead outside his home in Studio City shortly after 1am Sunday morning. “It is premature to speculate on its cause at this time”, it said in a statement.
The actor’s vehicle was subject to a recall being recalled because the gear shifters have confused drivers, causing the vehicles to roll away unexpectedly.
Just 27, Yelchin was best known for his role as Ckekov in the latest series of Star Trek films.
Law enforcement investigating the death said the engine of Yelchin’s auto was running when they arrived at the scene while in neutral gear.
Executives previously shared their condolences when the news broke on Sunday (19Jun16), stating, “All of us at Paramount join the world in mourning the untimely passing of Anton Yelchin”.
Yelchin, 27, died on Saturday after his auto rolled backward down his steep driveway and pinned him against a brick mailbox pillar and security fence, according to Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman Jenny Houser.
“It appeared [Yelchin] had momentarily exited his vehicle, leaving it in the driveway”, Houser said. More than 100 crashes have been reported due to a gear selector problem that caused confusion about whether the auto was in park.
The recalled vehicles sound a chime and issue a dashboard warning if the driver’s door is opened while they are not in park.
Anton Yelchin’s vehicle may have had a gear defect, police say.
Yelchin portrays Brian Bloom, a struggling writer from NY, who has an affair and falls in love with a French woman named Arielle.
An only child, Yelchin was six months old when he moved with his family to the U.S.in September 1989.
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“Surround your life with good people and know who your #true#friends are my prayers and love goes out to anton’s family #anton”, she added.
