Anton Yelchin dead: auto involved in actor’s death was ‘under recall’

The actor was killed when his SUV rolled down an incline unexpectedly and pinned him against a brick pillar.

Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 1.1 million model year 2014 and 2015 Jeep Cherokees as well as 2012 to 2014 model year Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans. It’s also somewhat confusing, as TMZ’s initial report labeled what happened to the 27-year-old performer a “freak accident.” Why?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s electronic gear would reportedly spring back to the same position after being shifted.

The young actor’s most recently released movie is horror film Green Room, in which he reunited with his Fright Night co-star Imogen Poots and shared the screen with fellow Star Trek alum Patrick Stewart.

J.J. Abrams, who is the director of the Star Trek franchise, also poured out his emotion concerning the death of the actor.

The Guardian’s film critic Peter Bradshaw wrote an appreciation of the actor saying: “A hugely popular and well-liked actor of enormous talent and potential has been snuffed out”.

Los Angeles police say Yelchin died when his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled down his driveway early Sunday.

“Our hearts are heavy with this tragic news and Anton’s family and friends are in our thoughts”, said “Trollhunters” producers Netflix and DreamWorks Animation in a statement. The only way you could tell the vehicle wasn’t in park was if a small light was lit and a chime went off when you opened the driver’s side door.

The upright design of the gear shift was causing some drivers to get out of the vehicles before actually putting them in park. Yelchin’s death tragically cut short the promising career of an actor whom audiences were still getting to know.

Police are still unsure if this was a complete and freaky accident that occurred or whether it was an act of will. Yelchin was well known among his peers and among the crowd of celebrities.

Winter said any toxicology results will take months to analyse. It offered sympathies to Yelchin’s friends and family. You were kind. You were amusing as hell, and supremely talented.

Yelchin, best known for his role as Chekov in the rebooted Star Trek trilogy, was found by his friends around 1am after failing to show up for a rehearsal.