Anton Yelchin’s parents take legal action
Anton Yelchin’s parents are to sue over the actor’s death.
The ‘Star Trek’ star was killed in a freak accident in June when his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled backwards and crushed him against a security gate, and now his mother and father Irina Korina and Viktor Yelchin are reportedly taking legal action against Fiat Chrysler, which make the car, manufacturer ZF North America and car retailer chain AutoNation.
According to TMZ, the family’s lawyer says they are seeking punitive damages "for the wrongful death of their son due to significant defects" in the vehicle.
Their action comes weeks after a class action lawsuit was filed by owners of similar cars, who claimed they had been betrayed and suffered financial loss in the wake of Anton’s death.
The suit alleged Fiat Chrysler had been aware for at least two years that there was a defect in a shifting device on the vehicle, meaning drivers were unwittingly leaving their cars in neutral but thinking it was in park, but concealed the information.
A variety of damages were being sought in the lawsuit, including the loss in value of the vehicle as a result of the publicity surrounding the actor’s death.
The 2015 Cherokee models had previously been recalled because the e-shift transmission lacked the grooves found in other older models that allowed drivers to feel the different gears.
A recall notice stated the shift provided "poor tactile and visual feedback to the driver," which would make unintended gear selection more likely.
The 2016 models reverted to the older shifter.
Shortly after Anton’s death, his parents took out an advertisement in the Hollywood Reporter to thank fans for their well-wishes.
They said: "Thank you, to all of you who have sent flowers and gifts, for your condolences and kind words. We are deeply grateful for your unconditional love. He would be surprised at how many hearts and souls he touched."
