The car that killed a “Star Trek” actor over the weekend was recalled earlier this year for a “rollaway risk.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
Anton Yelchin was found dead in the driveway of his home after his 5,000-pound Jeep Grand Cherokee pinned him between his mailbox and metal security gate around 11 p.m. Saturday. (RELATED: Star Trek’ Star Dead At 27 Following Car Accident)
On Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that his car was one of the 248,667 models that were recalled because of a transmission defect.
“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 a report that TMZ obtained.
The recall notice was issued in May, and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office said they believe that Yelchin’s car was not properly parked before he walked behind it.