Fiat Chrysler speeds up recall of gear shifters

Anton Yelchin in “Star Trek”.

As previously reported, the Star Trek Beyond actor died at age 27 when he was fatally pinned by his vehicle after it rolled down the steep driveway of his L.A. home. But the Jeep was part of a recall by Fiat Chrysler in April of nearly 812,000 vehicles, including the 2014 and 2015 Grand Cherokee models.

The shifters in those vehicles are equipped with electronic shift levers that return to the same central position after a different gear is selected.

It’s thought that he had stepped out of the auto while it was still running, but failed to correctly put it in park, allowing it to roll down the drive and trap him. Vehicles under the recall include model-year 2012-14 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans, and 2014-15 Jeep Grand Cherokees.

Police are now investigating his death but don’t suspect foul play.

“All of us are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend Anton Yelchin”, a statement from Paramount bosses reads.

The company said in April that the recall was linked to 700 incidents because drivers mistakenly believed they had placed the vehicles in park before exiting.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles released a statement to People.com, saying it’s too early “to speculate on the cause of this tragedy”.

Meanwhile, Fiat Chrysler’s stock has gained almost 3 percent over the past five days and was trading higher by around 0.50 percent Tuesday morning.

According to police reports, Yelchin got out of his SUV, which then started rolling backward before fatally pinning him between a brick pillar and the gate.

The spokesman for the Los Angeles county medical examiner, Ed Winter, verified that the Green Room star died from accidental “blunt traumatic asphyxia”.

More details surrounding Anton Yelchin’s untimely death has surfaced.

Yelchin was famous for his acting stint in “Star Trek” and the ‘Green Room.’ He is a charming and talented young man. Actor Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock in the series, wrote on Instagram, “Our dear friend, our comrade, our Anton”.

“His family requests you respect their privacy at this time”.