In April, Fiat Chrysler reported that there had been 41 injuries related to the problem and issued a recall for 2014-2015 Grand Cherokees with the 8-speed transmission to update their software to give enhanced warnings and prevent the vehicles from moving if a door is opened when it is not in Park.
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“Drivers erroneously concluding that their vehicle’s transmission is in the “park” position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged”, the NHTSA concluded.
“Yelchin died of accidental blunt force asphyxia, Los Angeles County Coroner Assistant Chief Ed Winter said in a phone interview Monday”, Reuters reports.
Yelchin, who was best known for playing Chekov in the new “Star Trek” franchise, was killed by his own vehicle early Sunday when it rolled backwards down his steep driveway and pinned him against a brick mailbox pillar and security fence, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. There they discovered him pinned between his own auto and a brick pillar.
Police said the 27-year-old rising star had momentarily exited his auto.
Anton Yelchin was best known to Trekkies as Chekov in “Star Trek” (photo: gotpap/Bauergriffin.com).
“FCA US extends its most honest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Yelchin”, a statement from a company spokesperson reads.
Los Angeles police say Yelchin died when his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled down his driveway early Sunday.
Yelchin had more than 60 acting credits, but when J.J. Abrams cast him in his 2009 “Star Trek” reboot, Yelchin reached a new level of recognition in Hollywood.
Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman Jane Kim said on Monday that investigators were aware of the recall issue with the Jeep and were looking at whether that played any role in the fatality.
“You were amusing as hell and supremely talented”.
Among Yelchin’s other film roles were horror remake Fright Night, crime thriller Alpha Dog, teenage comedy Charlie Bartlett, Felicity Jones romantic drama Like Crazy, and last year’s Shakespeare adaptation Cymbeline.
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Our thoughts are with Yelchin’s friends and family as they mourn the loss of such a young and talented actor. “And you weren’t here almost long enough”.
