The family of 27-year-old Russian-Jewish actor Anton Yelchin has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV over the death of their loved one, according to Business Insider.
Yelchin’s parents are charging the company with negligence and product liability after their son’s Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled backwards and killed the actor on June 19, crushing him to death against a brick wall and fence at his home in Los Angeles.
The vehicle was covered under a recall in April of more than 1.1 million cars and SUVs by the company, in the wake of at least 68 injuries, 266 crashes and 308 reports of property damage. The recall applies to the 2014-2015 model years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicle and 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans.
A recall letter sent to Anton Yelchin but it was received seven days after his death, according to Gary Dordick, the attorney representing Irina and Victor Yelchin (the actor’s parents).
“Your vehicle may roll away, striking and injuring you, your passengers, or bystanders, if the vehicle’s engine is left running, the parking brake is not engaged, and the transmission is not in the “PARK” position before exiting the vehicle,” the letter stated in part.
Irina and Victor Yelchin were renowned skaters in the former Soviet Union. Their son Anton most recently played the role of the young navigator Chekov on the starship Enterprise in the newest ‘Star Trek’ movie, ‘Beyond.’
