The freak accident that killed Star Trek Actor Anton Yelchin may have been due to a fault in his car.

The Los Angeles Police Department has now confirmed that Yeltsin’s car was the same model as ones that were recalled in April due to a defect. Over 248,667  Jeep Grand Cherokees had been recalled for a fault in the vehicles’ alert system.
“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.

Sources say Yeltsin’s car had not been serviced to fix this problem.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. This was the first fatality.

Representatives from Fiat have expressed their condolences to Yeltsin’s family:
“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.”

Coroner’s ruled Yelchin’s death an accident after an autopsy was done.  Yelchin’s friends found him dead after he failed to show up for an audition early Sunday. Upon arriving at his house they found him pinned under his car between a metal security gate and his brick mailbox.

Photos courtesy of Google images