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Jeep that killed 'Star Trek' actor Anton Yelchin was flagged for safety problems

The Jeep SUV that crushed "Star Trek" actor Anton Yelchin this weekend had been flagged by the automaker for a problem that could cause the vehicle to roll away.

Yelchin's Jeep rolled down his driveway and pinned him to a brick post in front of his Los Angeles home, according to law enforcement.

Los Angeles police said Monday, "The investigation is ongoing so we have not made any final determination as to the cause of the accident."

Fiat Chrysler ( FCAM ) filed a recall notice in April with federal safety regulators for the 2015 Grand Cherokee, the model Yelchin owned, along with 1.1 million cars and SUVs in April. More than 100 crashes have been reported due to a gear selector problem that caused confusion about whether the car was in park.

Related: Gear shift confusion causes Chrysler recall

Car owners haven't gotten an official recall notice yet, but they did receive a notice warning about the problem in May. It advised drivers to double check that the car is in park, and that the parking brake is on before exiting. Fiat Chrysler has to wait for replacement parts to become available before it can start repairs, according to its filing with safety regulators. At that point it will send a recall notice telling owners to bring the car in for free repairs.

Fiat Chrysler said it it will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident that killed Yelchin, but that it is too soon to say whether the gear problem was cause at the accident.

"FCA extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Yelchin," said the company.

The cars identified in April have a gear selector that makes it hard to tell what gear the vehicle is in.

Unlike most gear selectors, which are in forward or back positions depending on whether the car is in park, reverse, neutral or drive, these cars' gear selectors always return to the upright position after a driver changes gear. If a driver gets out of a car when it's in neutral, the vehicle could roll away .

Related: New cars still being built with flawed Takata airbags

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said there have been 117 crashes allegedly associated with the problem. Of those, 28 reportedly caused injuries, including a fractured pelvis a ruptured bladder and broken ribs. But current filings show no fatalities had been tied to the problem.

To remedy the problem, Chrysler plans to change how the gear works and to enhance the warnings a driver gets if they exit the car when it's not in park. The changes are designed to automatically prevent the vehicle from moving under certain circumstances, even if the driver doesn't select "park."

The vehicles set to be recalled are model-year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans, as well as model-year 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs. Later versions of these cars and SUVs have a different type of gear selector that apparently isn't as confusing. Fiat Chrysler said it changed the design of the gear selector in part because of this problem.

-- Peter Valdes-Dapena, Steve Visser and Carma Hassan contributed to this report

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Anton Yelchin Died Just One Minute After His Car Accident, According To Coroner

This weekend, Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin, 27, was tragically killed when his car rolled down his driveway, pinning him to a brick pillar and security fence. He was found dead at his home by friends at 1 A.M. on Sunday morning. The Los Angeles County coroner's office ruled on Tuesday the official cause of his death was accidental blunt traumatic asphyxia (meaning pressure on his chest caused a lack of oxygen to his brain). And new information from the coroner—obtained by * Entertainment Tonight —*says that Yelchin died just one minute after the accident happened.

Though ruled an accident, the Los Angeles Police Department are still investigating the incident. Why: The car that killed Yelchin was a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Fiat Chrysler had recalled that model —along with several other models for a total of 1.1 million cars—in April after an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that an unusual gear shift caused rollaway accidents. Unlike a traditional car, the model's gear shift doesn't move. Instead, a light changes to show if the car has been put in "P" or "D." It's confusing, and many drivers began exiting their cars without switching the vehicle securely to park. Chrysler reported 41 known injuries caused by the gear shift before the recall.

It's a terrible, sudden loss, and our thoughts are with Yelchin's family and friends.

• Anton Yelchin’s Death Is Linked To A Recalled 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• This Woman’s Moving Tattoo Tribute To Her Miscarriage Is Going Viral
• The Parents Of The Child Attacked By The Disney World Gator Release An Emotional Statement About Their Son

Watch: A 2011 Comic-Con Interview With Anton Yelchin

Photo Credit: Getty Images

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

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Jeep that killed Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin was one of thousands of faulty vehicles recalled

Friends found the 27-year-old pinned between his 2.5 tonne jeep and the gates to his LA home on Sunday as it is revealed his vehicle was model of Jeep Grand Cherokee have been recalled twice for gearbox problems

• Yasmin Jeffery
• Howell Davies
• Danny Collins
• Published : 19:23, 19 Jun 2016
• Updated : 20:25, 20 Jun 2016

THE vehicle involved in a freak accident that killed Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin was being recalled over safety concerns, it has emerged.

Russian-born Yelchin was found dead by friends pinned between a concrete pillar outside his LA home and his Jeep Grand Cherokee yesterday.

Some models of the Cherokee were recalled over concerns about the vehicles' gear stick

It is believed the 2.5 ton car rolled back down the drive of the 27-year-old’s home and crushed him after he had got out the vehicle.

Thousands of the Jeeps were recalled by the manufacturer after concerns about their gear sticks in July 2012 and December last year.

Fiat Chrysler, who make Jeeps, said in a statement  that it's investigating and it's premature to speculate on the cause of the crash.

They offered sympathies to Yelchin's friends and family.

The problem meant drivers could be left unaware whether their car was in neutral or park when they left the vehicle.

Motorists had to rely on a warning light on the gear stick and a bell as their car door opened.

Jeep made moves to solve the problem by making the warnings clearer when a car was left in neutral.

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, “The affected vehicles ... may not adequately warn the driver when driver’s door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.

“Drivers thinking 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.”

Data from the report shows that the problem potentially caused 212 crashes, 308 property damage claims and 41 injuries.

The Sun has contacted Jeep for comment.

Authorities investigating the tragedy have not yet established why Yelchin was out of his car but it is believed the 4x4 rolled back down his driveway's steep incline, ramming him into the pillar.

Friends made the grim discovery when they visited his home in San Fernando Valley at 1am local time on Sunday after he failed to attend a planned rehearsal.

The car was found in neutral with its engine still running.

His publicist has issued a statement following the tragedy: "Anton Yelchin was killed in a fatal traffic collision early this morning.

"His family requests you respect their privacy at this time‎."

There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

LAPD spokeswoman Jenny Houser told the Hollywood Reporter : "It appears he momentarily exited his car and it rolled backward, causing trauma that led to his death."

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Yelchin rose to fame in 2006 film Alpha Dog before securing the role of Kyle Reese in Terminator Salvation, and Chekov in 2009’s Star Trek and 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness.

He was working on a number of projects before his death, including a TV show called Mr Mercedes.

The star had recently completed work on the next instalment, Star Trek Beyond, due to be released next month.

Star Trek's official website and Twitter account has paid tribute to the late actor: "StarTrek.com is deeply saddened to report that Anton Yelchin, Star Trek’s current Chekov, died today, June 19, at the age of 27.

"The actor was killed, in a freak accident, at home in Los Angeles by his own car.

"Yelchin played Chekov in Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness and will be seen next month in Star Trek Beyond."

The tribute continued: "Please join StarTrek.com in offering our condolences to Yelchin’s family, friends, colleagues and fans."

Yelchin was born in Russia although he emigrated to the US as a political refugee with his professional figure skater parents, Irina and Viktor Yelchin, as a baby.

Raised in Los Angeles, Yelchin attended the University of Southern California.

He started acting as a child, scoring his first professional role aged just nine in A Man Is Mostly Water.

Fellow celebrities have begun paying tribute to the actor on social media.

Star Trek co-star John Cho tweeted: "I loved Anton Yelchin so much.

"He was a true artist - curious, beautiful, courageous.

"He was a great pal and a great son. I'm in ruins."

He continued:  " Please send your love to Anton's family right now. They need it."

Actor and co-star Zachary Quinto shared a tribute to his friend on Twitter: "one of the most open and intellectually curious people…"

Comedian Matt Lucas wrote: "Dreadful news about Anton Yelchin.

"I thought he was an amazing actor."

Meanwhile, US actress Anna Kendick has described the Star Trek actor's death as "unreal" and a huge loss".

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368.

• Los Angeles

• The Inventory
• Beyond Cars

Anton Yelchin's Jeep Was Included In Rollaway Recall Linked To 41 Injuries (Update)

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the car that rolled into and killed Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin was a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a model that Fiat Chrysler recently recalled after its unconventional gear shifter led to several documented rollaway accidents.

Suggested Reading

Yelchin, 27, died in an unusual and horrifying incident early Sunday morning when his SUV—a Jeep Grand Cherokee—was left in neutral and apparently rolled down his driveway when he was outside of it, crushing him into a mailbox.

At the time it wasn’t clear whether Yelchin’s car was a 2014 or 2015 Grand Cherokee—the two model years covered by Fiat Chrysler’s voluntary shifter recall. But this morning, LAPD officials confirmed to Jalopnik that Yelchin’s SUV was a 2015 Grand Cherokee, meaning it was among the vehicles covered by Fiat Chrysler’s shifter recall from April.

Related Content

The investigation into Yelchin’s death is ongoing and authorities have not determined the exact cause of the wreck, but this is almost certainly something they will be looking into.

Fiat Chrysler said in a recall notice that the shifter confusion had led to 41 injuries. Those injuries resulted from incidents like the following, which were reported on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s complaints database, emphasis ours.

MASSAPEQUA, NY:

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE SHIFTING TO THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE DOOR .

OLIVE HILL, KY:

THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT’S VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT’S VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

GRESHAM, OR

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTER WAS IN PARK, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY MOVED BACKWARDS AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE . THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED.

WAVERLY HALL, GA

VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK. I EXITED THE CAR. WIFE WAS SITTING IN CAR IN PASSENGER SEAT. CAR WAS NOT MOVING. WIFE EXITED CAR TO RETRIEVE ITEM FROM HOUSE. RETURNED TO FIND VEHICLE DOWN THE HILL AND IN THE WOODS .

BOWLING GREEN, KY

THE JEEP’S ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION DID NOT FULLY SHIFT IN TO THE “PARK” POSITION WHILE STILL RUNNING. MY WIFE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO TAKE OUR 3 YEAR OLD FROM THE BACK SEAT AND THE JEEP BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY . SHE RAN AND JUMPED IN TO THE DRIVER’S SEAT TO STOP IT AND IN THE PROCESS HER FOOT SLIPPED FROM THE BRAKE TO THE GAS PEDAL DRIVING THE CAR INTO/THROUGH A HOUSE. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE HOME BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA

PUT THE CAR IN PARK (ENGINE STILL RUNNING) TO GO OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO TALK TO SOMEONE. I TURNED AROUND AND THE CAR WAS ROLLING BACKWARDS . IT GAINED SPEED AS IT APPROACHED A HILL, CROSSED OVER A SIDEWALK AND SLAMMED INTO A TREE. I HAD 2 BIKES ON A BIKE RACK ON THE BACK, WHICH TOOK THE BRUNT OF THE CRASH. THE BIKES, THE BIKE RACK AND THE REAR OF THE CAR WERE CRUSHED. THERE WAS NO WARNING NOISE OR OTHER INDICATION THAT MY CAR HAD NOT GONE INTO PARK.

LOS ANGELES, CA

ELECTRONIC SHIFTER DOES NOT ENGAGE IN TO PARK. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS STARTED TO ROLL WHEN I THOUGHT IT WAS IN PARK . THE SHIFTER IS TERRIBLY DANGERS AND CUMBERSOME TO USE CORRECTLY TO FIND GEARS. THIS IS ALWAYS WHEN PARKING OR WHEN STARTING UP. DANGEROUS.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA

HE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS IN REVERSE . THE CONTACT’S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED.

The investigation into Yelchin’s death remains ongoing.

UPDATE: The LAPD has released a statement confirming that Yelchin’s death is being investigated as an accident. The full statement reads:

At this time, all indications appear to lead our investigators to believe this was a tragic accident. The investigation is ongoing so we have not made any final determination as to the cause of the accident only that it does appear to be accidental and not an intentional act. The vehicle is a 2015 black Jeep Grand Cherokee. It appears that the vehicle rolled backward on the sloped driveway pinning the victim between the vehicle and a pillar.

As more information becomes available we will be glad to provide it.

Anton Yelchin Killed by Jeep That May Have Been Included in Roll-Away Recall

2014 and 2015 Grand Cherokees had been voluntarily recalled for roll-away risk.

— -- The car that killed "Star Trek" actor Anton Yelchin was a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed to ABC News.

ABC News has learned that this model was recently included in a voluntary safety recall for its roll-away risk after drivers were injured when they mistakenly thought they had shifted their car into park.

Yelchin, who was best known for playing Chekov in the new "Star Trek" franchise, was killed by his own car early Sunday when it rolled backward down his steep driveway and pinned him against a brick mailbox pillar and security fence, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police said the 27-year-old rising star had exited his car.

His publicist confirmed his death to ABC News.

The Los Angeles coroner's office ruled Yelchin's death an accident today, citing the cause as blunt traumatic asphyxia.

'Star Trek' Actor Anton Yelchin Killed When His Car Hits Him

Last August, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into 2014 to 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees manufactured from July 16, 2012, to Dec. 22, 2015, after receiving 14 complaints from drivers alleging the vehicle had rolled away after they thought they had shifted it into park.

After the investigation, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), which manufactures the Jeep Grand Cherokee, issued a voluntary recall in April for 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees.

According to a safety recall report from the NHTSA, the Grand Cherokee is equipped with a monostable gear shifter. The shifter does not slide forward or backward like a conventional gear shifter; instead, the shifter always returns to the center position after the gear is selected, according to Mopar, FCA's parts, service and customer care organization.

As a result, the NHTSA report stated that FCA determined that some 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."

According to the report, FCA determined that not having "an additional mechanism to mitigate the effects of driver error in failing to shift the monostable gear selector into park prior to exiting the vehicle constitutes a defect presenting a risk to motor vehicle safety."

Also included in the recall were the 2012 to 2014 Dodge Charger and the 2012 to 2014 Chrysler 300, both of which are equipped with the same monostable gear shifter.

It has not been determined whether this defect was the reason the vehicle rolled into Yelchin.

FCA expressed its "most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Yelchin" on Monday. In a statement to ABC News, Jeep's parent company said it was "conducting a thorough investigation" into the accident, adding that "it is premature to speculate on the cause of this tragedy."

Yelchin was on his way to meet friends for a rehearsal when the accident happened. After he didn’t show up, his friends went to check on him and found him dead by his car.

Director J.J. Abrams, who directed Yelchin in the rebooted "Star Trek" franchise, remembered the actor in a statement on Twitter, writing, "You were brilliant. You were kind. You were funny as hell, and supremely talented. And you weren't here nearly long enough."

pic.twitter.com/q8VBJBVPK3 — Bad Robot (@bad_robot) June 19, 2016

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Anton Yelchin, new Star Trek's Chekov, dies in freak accident

The 27-year-old, who played Chekov in the Star Trek reboot films, dies after being pinned by his own car.

• Ed was a member of the CNET crew that won a National Magazine Award from the American Society of Magazine Editors for general excellence online. He's also edited pieces that've nabbed prizes from the Society of Professional Journalists and others.

Anton Yelchin, aka Star Trek's Pavel Chekov, arrives on the red carpet at the LA premiere of "Star Trek" in 2009. The actor died on Sunday.

Anton Yelchin, the actor known for playing Chekov in the recent series of Star Trek reboot films, died in a freak accident in Los Angeles early Sunday morning.

Left to right: Yelchin as Chekov, Chris Pine as Kirk, John Cho as Sulu.

Yelchin, 27, was killed when his

Friends found Yelchin after he failed to show up for a scheduled rehearsal, Houser said.

The Russian-born actor played Pavel Chekov in 2009's " Star Trek " and 2013's "Star Trek Into Darkness," as well as in " Star Trek Beyond ," due out later this year.

Yelchin's Star Trek colleagues took to Twitter on Sunday to express their sorrow, including actors John Cho and Zachary Quinto, who play Sulu and Spock, respectively, "Star Trek Beyond" director Justin Lin and "Star Trek" and "Star Trek Into Darkness" director J.J. Abrams (by way of his production company, Bad Robot):

Update, 12:23 p.m. PT: Adds information from the LAPD; adds Cho's tweet. 12:42: Adds tweets from Lin and Quinto. 1:30: Adds Bad Robot tweet of J.J. Abrams' note.

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Jeep that rolled, killed Anton Yelchin was under recall

LOS ANGELES -- The SUV that rolled down a driveway and killed "Star Trek" actor Anton Yelchin was being recalled, government records show.

Yelchin, died on Sunday after his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee pinned him against a mailbox pillar and security fence at his home in the 3800 block of Berry Drive in Studio City, Los Angeles police said.

Read more about the accident.

The 27-year-old was a rising actor best known for playing Chekov in the rebooted series.

The 2015 model-year Grand Cherokees were part of a global recall of 1.1 million vehicles announced by Fiat Chrysler in April, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records show.

NHSA urged the recall, which involved the gear shifters. Drivers complained they had trouble telling if they had put the automatic transmissions in park. If they were not in park and a driver left the car, it could roll away.

The agency launched a probe into this issue in August 2015 after receiving 14 such complaints.

Fiat Chrysler, which makes Jeeps, said in a statement Monday that it was investigating the crash and offered sympathies to Yelchin's friends and family.

"FCA US extends its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Yelchin. The Company is in contact with the authorities and is conducting a thorough investigation. It is premature to speculate on the cause of this tragedy," the statement read.

As of April, Chrysler had identified approximately 700 complaints, including 212 crashes, 308 claims of property damage and 41 injuries.

PHOTOS: Celebrities and notable figures who have recently passed away

Investigators were looking into the position of Yelchin's gear shift at the time of the accident, authorities said.

The actor had gotten out of the vehicle momentarily, but police didn't say why he was behind it when it started rolling.

Yelchin's friends found him after he failed to show up for an audition early Sunday.

Following an autopsy, coroner's officials ruled Yelchin's death an accident and said the cause of death was blunt traumatic asphyxia. The results of any toxicology tests would not be known for months, coroner spokesman Ed Winter said.

Yelchin's death tragically cut short the promising career of an actor whom audiences were still getting to know. "Star Trek Beyond," the third film in the series, comes out in July.

Director J.J. Abrams, who cast Yelchin in the franchise, wrote in a statement that he was "brilliant ... kind ... funny as hell, and supremely talented."

Yelchin, an only child, was born in Russia. His parents were professional figure skaters who moved the family to the United States when Yelchin was a baby. Yelchin's family requested privacy at this time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Suit settled in death of Anton Yelchin, actor crushed by SUV

• Copy Link URL Copied!

The parents of Anton Yelchin have reached a settlement with the makers of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the SUV that crushed and killed the “Star Trek” actor in his driveway in 2016.

The confidential settlement agreement between Victor and Irina Yelchin and Fiat Chrysler was filed this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Fiat Chrysler said in a statement Thursday that it is “pleased that we’ve reached an amicable resolution in this matter” and that the car company continues to “extend our deepest sympathies to the Yelchin family for their tragic loss.”

Messages left for Yelchin family attorney Gary Dordick were not immediately returned.

The actor was killed at age 27 when his 2015 Cherokee rolled backward down a driveway of his Los Angeles home, pinning him between a mailbox and a security fence.

“Anton Yelchin was crushed and lingered alive for some time, trapped and suffocating until his death,” the lawsuit stated.

The Cherokee model was among 1.1 million vehicles recalled about two months earlier when regulators said its gear shifters were confusing drivers, causing the SUVs to roll away unexpectedly and leading to dozens of injuries.

The wrongful-death and product-liability lawsuit alleged that those gear selectors were the cause of the actor’s death.

“In spite of our unbelievable grief, we decided to come here to prevent other families from the same tragedy,” Victor Yelchin said when the lawsuit was filed.

Anton Yelchin had dozens of film and television credits that included voices for the “Smurfs” movies and the Netflix TV show “Trollhunters,” but is probably best known as Pavel Chekov in the rebooted “Star Trek” movie franchise.

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‘Star Trek’ Actor Anton Yelchin Dies at 27

Anton Yelchin , known for roles in “Star Trek” and “Alpha Dog,” died early Sunday morning in a freak accident, a spokeswoman confirmed to  Variety . He was 27.

“Actor Anton Yelchin was killed in a fatal traffic collision early this morning,” said a statement from his representative. “His family requests you respect their privacy at this time.”

The LAPD said he was pinned by his own car at his Studio City home. Friends apparently became concerned when Yelchin did not show up for a band performance. They found him at his home pinned between his car and a brick mailbox pillar.

“It appears he had exited his car and was behind it when the vehicle rolled down a steep driveway,” the LAPD said in a statement.

Police reportedly told TMZ that the engine was still running when he was found, and that his car was in neutral. It’s not clear why he got out of his car with the engine running.

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His most prominent role was as Pavel Chekov, the Russian ensign in the rebooted “Star Trek” film series. The most recent film in the franchise, “Star Trek Beyond,” debuts on July 22.

Paramount Pictures released a statement, saying, “All of us at Paramount join the world in morning the untimely passing of Antony Yelchin. As a member of the Star Trek family, he was beloved by so many and he will missed by all. We share our deepest condolences with his mother, father and family.”

Born in Leningrad in the former Soviet Union, Yelchin and his family emigrated to the United States when he was just six months old, seeking political asylum. His parents were both star figure skaters. He began acting at an early age, launching his professional career as a 9 year-old. He impressed critics and audiences with a series of prominent roles, holding his own against the likes of Anthony Hopkins and Robin Williams while playing shy or emotionally damaged kids in the likes of “House of D” and “Hearts in Atlantis.” For two seasons he co-starred opposite Hank Azaria in the Showtime series “Huff,” playing  a precocious teenager whose life is upended by his father’s personal and professional crisis.

As a young adult, he justified that early acclaim, turning in mature, sensitively wrought performances as drug-peddling title character in “Charlie Bartlett” and as Jacob, a lovelorn college student in Drake Doremus’ “Like Crazy.” In the Los Angeles Times , critic Kenneth Turan praised Yelchin’s work in “Like Crazy” as “fearless,” writing that  he “…expertly delineates the core quietness of Jacob, his tangible seriousness and sincerity.”

Yelchin also brushed with mainstream success, appearing in “Terminator Salvation” and doing voice work on “The Smurfs” movies. Critics noted that his performance in “Odd Thomas,” based on the Dean Koontz book, was superior to the rest of the movie.

After news of Yelchin’s death broke Sunday, friends and co-stars reacted on Twitter and social media.

John Cho, who worked with Yelchin on “Star Trek,” tweeted, “I loved Anton Yelchin so much. He was a true artist – curious, beautiful, courageous. He was a great pal and a great son. I’m in ruins.”

And Kat Dennings added, “Anton Yelchin was one of my best friends. Can’t say anything that conveys what this feels like.”

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Anton Yelchin's tragic accident as he was crushed to death by his own car

Rocketed into the world of fame in the 2000s, Anton Yelchin became famous for his acting in the Star Trek reboot franchise films - and this week marks the fourth anniversary of his tragic death

• 21:00, 19 Jun 2020
• Updated 21:29, 19 Jun 2020

It's been four years since Star Trek's Anton Yelchin was killed in a tragic accident.

Rocketed into the world of fame in the 2000s, the TV star became famous for his acting in the Star Trek reboot franchise films.

Anton took on Walter Koenig's original role as Pavel Chekov in the Star Trek reboot films.

The actor died aged 27 when he was crushed to death by his own car outside his home in Los Angeles on June 20, 2016.

His car killed him when it rolled backwards down a steep drive.

Star Trek's Anton died when he became trapped against a brick postbox pillar and a security fence.

Before the terrible accident, he had plans to meet his friends.

He was found dead by his pals after he failed to turn up for a rehearsal, according to Los Angeles police.

The third Star Trek rebooted film he starred in was released one month after his tragic death.

Its third instalment in the summer of 2016 followed the first two films in 2009 and 2013.

During his brief yet successful acting career, the TV star landed his first screen role in US drama ER in 2000.

His breakout role followed in 2006 in Alpha Dog before he landed the part on the rebooted Star Trek franchise.

Anton was born to celebrated Russian figure skaters Victor and Irina Yelchin.

Tributes flooded social media at the time of his death including directors and actors who had worked closely with him.

At the time, Star Trek Beyond director Justin Lin said: "Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you."

His co-star Zachary Quinto, who played Spock in the films, penned some kind words.

He wrote: "Our dear friend. Our comrade. Our Anton.

"One of the most open and intellectually curious people I have ever had the pleasure to know. So enormously talented and generous of heart. Wise beyond his years. And gone before his time. All love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief."

In recent weeks, Anton's co-star Simon Pegg revealed losing the actor meant it's unlikely they will do a fourth film.

Simon lamented his death was a "real blow" to the Star Trek cast and dampened their enthusiasm for another movie.

He told Collider : "One thing I did mention when I spoke about it recently is that for us, losing Anton Yelchin the way we did was a real blow.

"And I think it slightly took the wind out of our sails in terms of our enthusiasm to do another one, just because we’re now missing one of our family. He would be conspicuous by his absence."

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clock This article was published more than  6 years ago

Actor Anton Yelchin was crushed to death by his SUV. His parents just settled with Fiat Chrysler.

The parents of Anton Yelchin, the “Star Trek” actor who died in 2016 when his SUV rolled down his driveway and trapped him against a security gate, have reached a settlement with the makers of Jeep Grand Cherokee.

A confidential settlement between Victor and Irina Yelchin and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, which manufactures the Jeep Grand Cherokee that crushed Yelchin, was filed this week in Los Angeles Superior Court. The details of the settlement were not disclosed.

“Anton Yelchin was crushed and lingered alive for some time, trapped and suffocating until his death,” the lawsuit states.

Yelchin’s family attorney, Gary Dordick, and Yelchin’s publicist, Jennifer Allen, could not be immediately reached for comment. Fiat Chrysler told the Associated Press in a statement that it is “pleased that we’ve reached an amicable resolution in this matter” and that the car company continues to “extend our deepest sympathies to the Yelchin family for their tragic loss.”

The settlement money will got to the  Anton Yelchin Foundation  and to the filming of a documentary on Yelchin’s life, Allen said in a statement to People .

“The mission of the Foundation is to empower and support young people engaged in creative arts who face career challenges due to debilitating disease or disability,” she said.

‘Star Trek’s’ Anton Yelchin and the scary reality of the Jeep that rolls away and kills you

Yelchin, who was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, was best known for playing Chekov in the reboot of the “Star Trek” movies as well as his roles in “Alpha Dog” and “Terminator Salvation.” He was 27 when he died.

“Star Trek” fans were hit with a sense of loss upon realizing that they wouldn’t again see Chekov on screen. Yelchin’s former “Star Trek” castmate, John Cho, told The Washington Post  after Yelchin’s death that he could not “begin to express how badly my heart has been broken by his passing.”

“He was a young man who was just starting to become what he was going to become,” said Cho, who played helmsman Sulu right next to Chekov on the starship Enterprise’s bridge.

Yelchin had been driving a car that came under scrutiny for its gear system. In 2016,  TMZ reported , citing the Los Angeles Police Department, that when Yelchin’s friends discovered his body, they found the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee idling in neutral.

In 2016, the  automotive blog Jalopnik  reported that the Jeep was among one of 1.1 million vehicles that had been recalled about two months before Yelchin’s death because of a confusing gear shifter that could cause the car to roll away unexpectedly. According to former Washington Post reporter Jeff Guo :

[In 2015], NHTSA began investigating the unconventional gearstick design on these cars, which was causing crashes because drivers were mistakenly shifting to neutral when they thought they were shifting to park. With a regular gearstick, drivers choose a transmission option (park, reverse, neutral, drive, etc.) by moving the stick into the corresponding notch or detent. Drivers can feel the stick settle into position. But a new, different, design was used in the cars affected by the recall, which include certain recent models of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Rollaway vehicles kill about 93 people a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration .

Yelchin’s parents in 2016 announced in an emotional news conference that they were suing Fiat Chrysler for wrongful death and product liability, during which they said Anton was their only son and “a remarkable human being.” The automaker in response claimed that Yelchin’s “misuse” of the car led to his death, according to People .

“In spite of our unbelievable grief, we decided to come here to prevent other families from the same tragedy,” Victor Yelchin said during the 2016 news conference.

Read more: 

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Anton Yelchin Death: Jeep Grand Cherokees Were Recalled for Rollaway Risk [Updated]

Fiat Chrysler earlier this year recalled certain Jeep Grand Cherokees for their “rollaway” risk after drivers were injured when they mistakenly thought they had shifted their car to park.

Star Trek star Anton Yelchin died at his San Fernando Valley home on Saturday night when his own car pinned him to his mailbox at the bottom of a steep driveway. Yelchin was alone and, according to TMZ, the car was a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Friends found Yelchin when they went to his house after he failed to turn up to rehearsal.

The voluntary recall, in April 2016, impacted 2014 to 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees that were manufactured between July 16, 2012, and December 22, 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

https://gizmodo.com/star-trek-actor-anton-yelchin-has-died-in-a-car-acciden-1782247263

It’s unclear which model was involved in Yelchin’s accident, as well as what exactly led up to the 27-year-old’s death. The LAPD did not respond to requests for comment.

According to a summary of the NHTSA report on the “defect” (PDF):

The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver’s door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.

Drivers thinking 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.

By April 12, 2016, Fiat Chrysler had identified 212 crashes, 308 claims of property damage, and 41 injuries related to the issue, according to a submission [PDF] to the NHTSA.

Update: 10:00pm: According to Fiat Chrysler Automotive , the issue stems from the design of the electronic shifter. When the driver shifts the vehicle into park, the only indication to the driver is a light on the console: “unless due care is taken, drivers may draw erroneous conclusions about the status of their vehicles.”

According to a representative from FCA, drivers of affected vehicles were notified and issued directions to properly operate the shifter. The company could not speak about this specific accident, nor whether Yelchin’s vehicle was one of the ones affected by the recall.

Update: 10:00 am, June 20: LAPD confirms the car involved was a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Correction: The issue was related to whether a car was in “Park” and not related to the parking brake as an earlier version of this story suggested.

Anton Yelchin

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Fiat Chrysler Starts Scheduling Jeep Fixes As Probe Continues into Yelchin Death

Fiat chrysler will investigate anton yelchin crash, star trek actor anton yelchin dies in freak car accident [updated], how  star trek beyond plans to honor its 50th anniversary.

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Watch CBS News

Anton Yelchin was killed by his own vehicle, police say

June 20, 2016 / 6:13 AM EDT / CBS/AP

LOS ANGELES -- Anton Yelchin, a rising actor best known for playing Chekov in the new "Star Trek" films, was killed by his own car as it rolled down his driveway, police and his publicist said.

The car pinned Yelchin, 27, against a brick mailbox pillar and a security fence at his home in Los Angeles, Officer Jenny Hosier said. He had gotten out of the vehicle momentarily, but police did not say why he was behind it when it started rolling.

A Los Angeles police spokesperson told CBS News foul play was not suspected.

Lt. Larry Dietz told CBS News the Los Angeles County coroner's office "concluded that Yelchin's death was an accident" caused by "blunt traumatic asphyxia."

It appeared Yelchin had not properly put his car in park, Dietz said, adding it was "just one of those freak accidents."

Los Angeles police told CBS News the vehicle involved was a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

CBS News correspondent Kris Van Cleave reported last month that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was investigating more than 850,000 vehicles. Most were 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees equipped with "e-shift" transmissions. Those transmissions lack the typical grooves and sensation of moving the car into park, drive or reverse.

Government investigators found the transmissions are "not intuitive" and provide "poor tactile and visual feedback to the driver, increasing the potential for unintended gear selection."

The investigation found reports of 121 crashes and 30 injures linked to the shifter and possible confusion over whether the vehicles had actually been put into park.

In April, Fiat Chrysler recalled more than 800,000 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees, Chrysler 300s and Dodge Chargers equipped with Monostable shifter or E-shift transmissions.

Fiat Chrysler spokesperson Eric Mayne told CBS News recall "notices were mailed to affected customers. Included in those notices were tip sheets describing proper operation of the shifter. This supplemental information echoes the instructions in the owner's manual."

Investigators have not established any connection between the transmission in Yelchin's Jeep and the incident that took his life.

Yelchin was on his way to meet friends for a rehearsal, Hosier said. When he didn't show up, the group came to his home and found him dead early Sunday.

The freak accident tragically cuts short the promising career of an actor whom audiences were still getting to know and who had great artistic ambition. "Star Trek Beyond," the third film in the rebooted series, comes out in July.

Director J.J. Abrams, who cast Yelchin in the franchise, wrote in a statement that he was "brilliant ... kind ... funny as hell, and supremely talented."

His death was felt throughout the industry.

"What a rare and beautiful soul with his unstoppable passion for life," Jodie Foster said. "He was equal parts serious thinker and the most fun little brother you could ever dream of."

Yelchin co-starred in Foster's 2011 film "The Beaver."

"He was a ferocious movie buff who put us all to shame," said Gabe Klinger, who directed Yelchin in the upcoming film "Porto," likely to be released this fall. "He was watching four or five movies every night."

Klinger said Yelchin had a particular affinity for silent films.

Yelchin began acting as a child, taking small roles in independent films and various television shows, such as "ER," ''The Practice," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." His breakout big-screen role came opposite Anthony Hopkins in 2001's "Hearts in Atlantis."

He transitioned into teen roles in films such as the crime thriller "Alpha Dog" and the comedy "Charlie Bartlett." He also played a young Kyle Reese in 2009's "Terminator Salvation."

Yelchin, an only child, was born in Russia. His parents were professional figure skaters who moved the family to the United States when Yelchin was a baby. He briefly flirted with skating lessons, too, before discovering that he wasn't very skilled on the ice. That led him to acting class.

"I loved the improvisation part of it the most, because it was a lot like just playing around with stuff. There was something about it that I just felt completely comfortable doing and happy doing," Yelchin told The Associated Press in 2011 while promoting the romantic drama "Like Crazy." He starred opposite Felicity Jones.

"(My father) still wanted me to apply to college and stuff, and I did," Yelchin said. "But this is what I wanted."

The discipline that Yelchin learned from his athlete parents translated into his work as an actor, which he treated with seriousness and professionalism, said Klinger, the director.

He drew on his Russian roots for his role as the heavily accented navigator Chekov in the "Star Trek" films, his most high-profile to date.

"What's great about him is he can do anything. He's a chameleon. He can do bigger movies or smaller, more intimate ones," ''Like Crazy" director Drake Doremus told the AP in 2011. "There are a lot of people who can't, who can only do one or the other. ... That's what blows my mind."

Yelchin seemed to fit in anywhere in Hollywood. He could do big sci-fi franchises and vocal work in "The Smurfs," while also appearing in more eccentric and artier fare, like Jim Jarmusch's vampire film "Only Lovers Left Alive" and Jeremy Saulnier's horror thriller "Green Room," a cult favorite that came out earlier this year.

Klinger recalled a conversation with Jarmusch about Yelchin before Klinger cast him in "Porto."

"Jim was like, 'Watch out. Anton read Dostoyevsky when he was like 11 years old!'" Klinger said.

The director said that for Yelchin, every film was an opportunity to learn and study more. He admired Nicolas Cage's laser-focus on the Paul Schrader film "Dying of the Light" and also got to work with one of his acting heroes, Willem Dafoe, on the film "Odd Thomas."

"He used to refer to Willem as an artist, not an actor," Klinger said. "That's the kind of actor he aspired to be, where people didn't regard him as an actor, they regarded him as an artist."

Yelchin's publicist, Jennifer Allen, confirmed his death and said his family requests privacy.

More from CBS News

Actor Anton Yelchin's parents reach settlement over his death caused by SUV

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The parents of Anton Yelchin have reached a settlement with the makers of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the SUV that crushed and killed the Star Trek  actor in his driveway in 2016.

The confidential settlement agreement between Victor and Irina Yelchin and Fiat Chrysler was filed this week in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Fiat Chrysler said in a statement Thursday that it is "pleased that we've reached an amicable resolution in this matter" and that the car company continues to "extend our deepest sympathies to the Yelchin family for their tragic loss."

Messages left for Yelchin family attorney Gary Dordick were not immediately returned.

The actor was killed at age 27 when his 2015 Cherokee rolled backward down a driveway of his Los Angeles home, pinning him between a mailbox and a security fence.

"Anton Yelchin was crushed and lingered alive for some time, trapped and suffocating until his death," the lawsuit stated.

The Cherokee model was among 1.1 million vehicles recalled about two months earlier when regulators said its gear shifters were confusing drivers, causing the SUVs to roll away unexpectedly and leading to dozens of injuries.

The wrongful death and product liability lawsuit alleged that those gear selectors were the cause of the actor's death.

"In spite of our unbelievable grief, we decided to come here to prevent other families from the same tragedy," Victor Yelchin said when the lawsuit was filed.

Anton Yelchin had dozens of film and television credits that included voices for the Smurfs  movies and the Netflix TV show Trollhunters , but is probably best known as Pavel Chekov in the rebooted Star Trek  movie franchise.

More: Family and 'Star Trek' co-stars pay tribute to Anton Yelchin

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RIP Anton —

Star trek actor anton yelchin, 27, killed in freak accident, russian-american who played pavel chekov found crushed to death by his own car..

Tom Mendelsohn - Jun 20, 2016 12:58 pm UTC

Anton Yelchin, the Russian-American actor most famous for his portrayal of Pavel Chekov in the rebooted Star Trek movies, has been killed in an accident with his own car.

According to reports, the 27-year-old was found dead on Sunday morning, seemingly crushed between his Jeep Cherokee and a security fence at the bottom of his Los Angeles home's steep driveway.

Yelchin was born in St Petersburg to professional figure skaters who moved to the US soon after his birth. He played Chekov in 2009's Star Trek and 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness  and is due to appear in the third Star Trek  movie,  Star Trek Beyond ,  next month.

The actor was reportedly found by friends concerned by the fact that he hadn't shown up to a late-night rehearsal. LA police say he had just gotten out of the car when it rolled back and pinned him to his gate.

Tributes have poured in from Hollywood colleagues, including JJ Abrams, the director of the first two rebooted Star Trek films. He tweeted : "You were kind. You were funny as hell, and supremely talented. Anton, you weren't here nearly long enough. Missing you..."

pic.twitter.com/q8VBJBVPK3 — Bad Robot (@bad_robot) June 19, 2016

Justin Lin, who directed the third iteration of Star Trek, also wrote of his shock at the sudden death.

Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you. — Justin Lin (@trailingjohnson) June 19, 2016

His castmate Zachary Quinto said on Instagram : "our dear friend. our comrade. our anton. one of the most open and intellectually curious people i have ever had the pleasure to know. so enormously talented and generous of heart. wise beyond his years. and gone before his time. all love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief."

Yelchin reportedly owned a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit California Edition, and while there is currently no suggestion that this model is defective, some media reports have pointed out that other models of Jeep, which are manufactured by the Italian company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, have had to be recalled because they did not sound warnings to drivers when they got out that their vehicles had been left in neutral rather than park.

In April this year, Fiat Chrysler issued a voluntary recall to Grand Cherokees built between July 16, 2012, and December 22, 2015. The company is yet to comment on Yelchin's accident.

A report from the American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said: "The affected vehicles... may not adequately warn the driver when the driver’s door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear."

Yelchin began his career at the age of nine in the independent film  A Man Is Mostly Water . He has also appeared in many other films, including Like Crazy , Alpha Dog , Fright Night , and Along Came a Spider.

Listing image by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

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Jeep that killed Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin was recalled for ‘rollaway risk’

THE Jeep that killed Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin in a “freak accident” was recalled months ago after the particular make caused hundreds of crashes.

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THE Star Trek actor killed by his own car was run over by a model of Jeep that was recalled earlier this year for “rollaway risk,” according to a report.

Anton Yelchin, 27, died in a freak accident on Sunday when his vehicle pinned him between a metal security gate and his brick mailbox.

He was found by a group of friends when they got concerned about him after he didn’t show up for a planned rehearsal, The New York Post reports.

The Los Angeles Police Department has now confirmed that his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee was one of the 248,667 models included in a voluntary recall in April for a defect in the vehicle’s alert system, according to CBS News .

“Drivers thinking 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wrote in its report.

Yelchin’s car had not been serviced to fix the problem, according to NHTSA documents obtained by TMZ .

The recall, which includes 2014-2015 Grand Cherokees manufactured between June 2012 and December 2015, has been linked to 212 crashes and more than 40 injuries, according to Gizmodo . Prior to Yelchin’s death, there were no fatalities linked to the defect.

Fiat Chrysler, the car corporation which owns Jeep, said it will investigate Yelchin’s death as police continue to look into why he got out of his car, which was still in neutral.

“FCA US extends its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Yelchin,” it said in a statement. “The company is in contact with the authorities and is conducting a thorough investigation. It is premature to speculate on the cause of this tragedy.”

The 2015 model-year Grand Cherokees were part of a global recall of 1.1 million vehicles announced by automaker Fiat Chrysler in April, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records show.

The agency urged the recall because of complaints from drivers who had trouble telling if they had put the automatic transmissions in park. If they were not in park and a driver left the vehicle, it could roll away.

Fiat Chrysler expected to send recall notification letters to owners on May 16, according to a memo to dealers, but it’s not known whether Yelchin received or saw his letter. The company was working on a fix and expected to have a final remedy in October or later, the letter said.

Investigators were looking into the position of Yelchin’s gear shift at the time of the accident, Officer Jane Kim said.

Fiat Chrysler said in a statement overnight that it was investigating and it was premature to speculate on the cause of the crash. It offered sympathies to Yelchin’s friends and family.

The highway safety agency received 121 reports of crashes related to the gear shift problem, records show. Fiat Chrysler said in April that it’s aware of 41 potentially related injuries. The recalled vehicles, including nearly 812,000 in the US have an electronic shift lever that toggles forward or backward to let the driver select the gear instead of moving along a track like a conventional shifter. A light shows which gear is selected, but to get from drive to park, drivers must push the lever forward three times.

The recalled vehicles sound a chime and issue a dashboard warning if the driver’s door is opened while they are not in park. But the push-button ignition won’t shut off the engine if not in park, increasing the risk of the vehicles rolling away after drivers have gotten out.

The Grand Cherokee gear shifters were changed in the 2016 model year so that it works like those in older cars.

Coroner’s officials ruled Yelchin’s death an accident after an autopsy. The results of any toxicology tests would not be known for months, coroner spokesman Ed Winter said.

Yelchin’s friends found him dead after he failed to show up for an audition early Sunday.

Yelchin starred in the rebooted Star Trek franchise, which is set to release its third film next month.

He played Chekov, the prodigal math whiz originally portrayed on TV by Walter Koenig, in the new four-part film series directed by J.J. Abrams.

Abrams was one of many Hollywood stars who honoured the promising young star, calling him “supremely talented” in a handwritten note.

“Terrible news about Anton Yelchin, crazily talented actor gone too soon,” author Stephen King tweeted.

Many of his Star Trek co-stars, as well as actors who worked with him on other films, were also shocked at his death.

“Anton Yelchin was one of my best friends. Can’t say anything that conveys what this feels like,” actress Kat Dennings, who starred with him in the 2007 rom-com Charlie Bartlett , tweeted.

“What a rare and beautiful soul with his unstoppable passion for life,” said Jodie Foster, whose 2011 film The Beaver co-starred Yelchin.

“He was equal parts serious thinker and the most fun little brother you could ever dream of.” Yelchin began acting as a child, taking small roles in independent films and various television shows, such as ER , The Practice , and Curb Your Enthusiasm .

His breakout big-screen role came opposite Anthony Hopkins in 2001’s Hearts in Atlantis . Yelchin, an only child, was born in Russia. His parents were professional figure skaters who moved the family to the United States when Yelchin was a baby. He briefly flirted with skating lessons, too, before discovering that he wasn’t very skilled on the ice. That led him to acting class.

“I loved the improvisation part of it the most, because it was a lot like just playing around with stuff. There was something about it that I just felt completely comfortable doing and happy doing,” Yelchin told The Associated Press in 2011.

This story originally appeared in The New York Post and has been published here with permission.

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