x
Breaking News
More () »

Anton Yelchin's car may have had a gear defect

 

 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee that killed Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin in a freak accident over the weekend was recalled recently for a possible gear defect that could lead drivers to think they're in park when they're not.

 

The death of Yelchin, 27, on Saturday is still under investigation by the Los Angeles Police, but the department confirmed Monday that Yelchin's car was a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. 

Ed Winter, spokesman for the Los Angeles county medical examiner, confirmed the cause of Yelchin's death was accidental and the result of "blunt traumatic asphyxia." He said the death is still under investigation.

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall report dated April 22, some Jeep Grand Cherokees from 2014 and 2015 have a defect in that they do not have sufficient warning mechanisms to deter drivers from getting out of the car after failing to put it in the PARK position.

"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 report says. 

 

Yelchin was found dead, pinned between the back of his car and his front gate as he left his home in Studio City for a rehearsal, LAPD police spokeswoman Jenny Houser said.

"A fatal traffic collision occurred," Houser said. "It was the result of the victim's own car rolling backward down his steep driveway, pinning him against a brick mailbox pillar and security fence."

She said Yelchin was on his way to meet friends for rehearsal, and when he didn’t show up, his friends went to his house and found him. His car engine was still running. 

"It appeared (Yelchin) had momentarily exited his car, leaving it in the driveway," Houser said. 

It's not clear why Yelchin might have gotten out of his car. Nor is it known whether or not he knew about the recall and had his car serviced for the defect.  

 

Fiat Chrysler extended its "most sincere condolences" to the family and friends of Yelchin, according to a statement emailed to the Detroit Free Press

"The company is in contact with the authorities and is conducting a thorough investigation," the automaker said in the statement. "It is premature to speculate on the cause of this tragedy.” 

In April, the automaker said it would recall 811,586 vehicles in the U.S. for the issue (more than 1.1 million in North America), and the recall included the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The automaker says it has sent interim notices to customers affected by the recall. 

NHTSA issued a statement late Monday, saying Yelchin's death is "the first fatality we’re aware of that may be related to this safety defect and vehicle recall."

"We’re in contact with local authorities and Fiat Chrysler to understand all of the facts related to this tragic crash, including whether or not this was caused by the current issue under recall," the statement said.

The agency stressed that it initiated the investigation into the transmission issue and the recall was issued at NHTSA's urging. 

"Until all of these recalled vehicles are fixed, owners should take extra care to make sure their car is in park and turned completely off before exiting.”

The Russian-born Yelchin immigrated to the United States when he was 6 months old with his parents, Irina Korina and Viktor Yelchin, who were stars of the Leningrad Ice Ballet.

He was best known for playing Chekov in the Star Trek reboot movies, including 2009's Star Trek and 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness. Yelchin had completed his role in Star Trek Beyond (in theaters July 22), which is in the final editing stages.

 

Before You Leave, Check This Out