Jeeps Like The One That Killed Anton Yelchin Were Recalled Over 'Rollaway' Risk

Some Jeep Grand Cherokee models were recalled earlier this year over a potential ‘rollaway’ risk, after drivers were injured when they thought they’d put the vehicle into park, it has emerged.

The 27-year-old actor Anton Yelchin was killed in a tragic accident on Saturday night after being pinned to his mailbox by his car at the bottom of the steep driveway of his house in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles.

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According to TMZ, Yelchin’s car was a Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it’s not known whether it was one of the exact models subject to the voluntary recall, made between July 16, 2012, and December 22, 2015.

The fault as logged by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says: “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.”

Gizmodo reports that up to April 12, 2016, Fiat Chrysler had found that the issue had caused 212 crashes, 308 instances of property damage, and 41 injuries.

The manufacturer told the website that owners of the affected vehicles had been contacted about the issue and then issued with directions to operate the gear shifter correctly.

It did not comment specifically on the case of Yelchin, or whether he was driving one of the models affected.

The 'Star 'Trek’ actor was discovered by friends in the early hours of Sunday morning, after he’d failed to turn up at a rehearsal.

Friends and colleagues have paid glowing tributes to him in the hours since.

Director J.J. Abrams said: “You were brilliant. You were kind. You were funny as hell, and supremely talented. And you weren’t here long enough.”

Jodie Foster, who directed him in her movie 'The Beaver’, added: “What a rare and beautiful soul with his unstoppable passion for life. He was equal parts serious thinker and the most fun little brother you could ever dream of.

“I am so honored to have been able to direct such a deep actor, so committed and genuine. I will forever be grateful for all of those little exchanges we shared, his contagious enthusiasm, his questions, his company. My heart breaks for his mom and dad who were a part of every anecdote. He carried their love into everything he touched.”

Image credits: AP/Paramount