3 Aug 2016

Star Trek actor's parents sue carmaker over his death

11:19 am on 3 August 2016

The parents of US actor Anton Yelchin are suing the makers of his car, after it rolled downhill and killed him.

Yelchin was best known for playing Chekov in the new Star Trek films.

Anton Yelchin was most recently known for playing Chekov in the new Star Trek films. Photo: AFP / Paramount / Bad Robot / The Kobal Collection

Yelchin, who played Pavel Chekov in the rebooted Star Trek films, died at his home in Los Angeles in June.

The 27-year-old died when his car struck him after rolling backwards down the steep driveway, pinning him against a brick postbox pillar and a security fence.

A wrongful death lawsuit filed by his parents against Fiat Chrysler said the gear changer on his Jeep was defective.

In April, the company recalled 1.1m vehicles across the world over concerns that they could roll away after drivers exited.

Fiat Chrysler probe after Star Trek actor killed by his car.

Anton Yelchin Photo: AFP

Yelchin did not write a will before he died and left behind a $US1.4m estate, according to court documents filed by his parents.

Court records showed Victor and Irina Yelchin filed to become administrators of their son's estate on Friday.

The filing stated Yelchin left behind at least $641,000 in personal property and had $731,000 in equity in his home.

The vehicle that killed Yelchin was one of those subject to a recall because the gear shifters confused drivers, causing the vehicles to roll away unexpectedly.

Fiat Chrysler offered their sympathies to Yelchin's family in a statement, but said it could not comment on their plans for a lawsuit.

The company added it was speeding up its recall of the vehicle.

- BBC

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs