August 9, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Parents of Deceased “Star Trek” Actor Anton Yelchin Plan to Sue Jeep

The parents of “Star Trek” actor Anton Yelchin, who died when he was pinned by a rollaway Jeep Grand Cherokee in the driveway of his Studio City home, plan to file a lawsuit today against the automaker, alleging defects in the vehicle led to his death.

Yelchin, 27, was best known for his role as Chekov in the recent series of “Star Trek” films. He died June 19 at his home in the 3800 block of Berry Drive, with investigators saying his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled backward down his steep driveway, crushing him against a brick mailbox pillar and a security fence.

Police said Yelchin had gotten out of the car when it rolled away. That model vehicle was under recall over concerns about gear shifters confusing some drivers, causing vehicles to roll away unexpectedly.

Fiat Chrysler, which owns Jeep, issued a statement last month saying that the company was investigating the actor’s death and expressing sympathy for Yelchin’s family.

There was no immediate comment from the company on the planned lawsuit, which will be announced by Yelchin’s parents — Victor and Irina Yelchin, and their attorney, Gary Dordick, at an 11 a.m. news conference. According to Dordick’s office, the lawsuit will be filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The actor’s parents last week also filed documents in Los Angeles Superior Court asking to become administrators of Anton Yelchin’s estate. The documents indicated he left a $1.4 million estate but no will.

Days after Yelchin’s death, a group of Jeep Grand Cherokee owners filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler in federal court in Riverside, alleging the automaker concealed and failed to fix a shifter design defect linked to driverless rollaway accidents, such as the one that killed the actor.

That lawsuit alleges the design flaw affects 811,000 vehicles, including 2014-2015 model year Jeep Grand Cherokees, 2012-2014 Chrysler 300s and 2012- 2014 Dodge Chargers. It contends that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV concealed both its shifter design defect and hundreds of related accidents that caused property damage and injuries.

The plaintiffs also allege that the raft of negative publicity’ surrounding the recent disclosure of the problem has greatly diminished the resale value of their vehicles.

According to the complaint, the defect has been responsible for at least 41 injuries, and possibly caused the death of Yelchin. Fiat Chrysler initiated a recall of 1.1 million cars worldwide equipped with the defectively designed shifter but has yet to provide any fix, the lawsuit states.

Yelchin, who was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, also appeared in such films as “Alpha Dog,” “Terminator Salvation” and “Charlie Bartlett.”

He was supposed to meet up with friends for rehearsal the day of his death, police said. When he did not show up, his friends went to his home and found him dead by his vehicle.

An only child, Yelchin was 6 months old when he moved with his family to the United States in September 1989. His mother worked as a figure skating choreographer and his father as a figure skating coach.

Courtesy of Screen Rant
Courtesy of Screen Rant
Related Posts

Live Like Braun Memorial Tournament Honors Athlete’s Life on His Birthday on August 9

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Players and Community Members Will Gather to Celebrate Braun Levi’s Life Friends, family, and supporters of the late Braun Levi...

Full Moon Frights at Cinespia: Vampires, Werewolves, and a Night Under the Stars

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Double Feature Coincides With Rare Celestial Triple Event Cinespia invites fans of horror comedy classics will gather under the glow...

Xenomorphs Hit Hollywood: FX Launches Global ‘Alien: Earth’ Hunt Ahead of Series Premiere

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Fans Can Track “Crash-Site” Crates in LA for Instant Prizes, Photo Ops, and Sweepstakes FX is bringing the world of...

Glorya Kaufman, Dance, Arts and Health Philanthropist Who Transformed L.A.’s Landscape, Dies at 95

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

From Culver City, Brentwood, UCLA, USC, and Downtown LA, Her Generosity was Legendary Glorya Kaufman, a transformative benefactor to the...

Overnight Lane Closures Set for I-405 Through Sepulveda Pass Next Week

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Caltrans to Close Multiple Northbound and Southbound Lanes Nightly  Caltrans will implement overnight lane closures along Interstate 405 in the...

Levain Bakery Lands in Beverly Hills with Cookies, Swag, and a Sweet Surprise

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Newest Location’s Debut Includes Limited-Edition Flavor, Early-Bird Giveaways Levain Bakery will mark the opening of its newest location in Beverly...

Bistro Blue’s One Night Only Seasonal Menu Pops Up at Little City Farms August 10

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Chef Kara Vorabutr’s Garden Dinner Promises to be a Seasonal Showstopper Bistro Blue, a pop-up concept by Chef Kara Vorabutr,...

Cardinale du Vin’s Weekend Izakaya Pop-Up Blends Thai Flavors and Japanese Dishes

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Three Nights Only: Thai-Japanese Fusion Menu Launched in Pico-Robertson Cardinale du Vin is unveiling a special izakaya-inspired menu this weekend,...

Santa Monica’s Chez Jay Celebrates 66 Years with Retro Bash by the Beach

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Landmark Restaurant Celebrates With Classic Cars, Live Music, Celebrity Lore One of Los Angeles County’s most storied restaurants will mark...

Film Review: Weapons

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

By Dolores Quintana You might be asking yourself what the film Weapons is about. Not to worry, writer and director...

Classic Rock Tribute Takes Center Stage at Beverly Hills Summer Series, Concerts on Canon

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rod Lightning and the Thunderbolts of Love Bring High-Energy Hits to the Stage The City of Beverly Hills continues its...

Trial Date Set for Alleged ‘Ketamine Queen’ in Matthew Perry’s Death

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Woman Accused in Matthew Perry’s Overdose to Face Jury The woman accused of supplying the fatal dose of ketamine that...

DUI Suspect Identified and Charged in Crash That Killed 9-Year-Old, Injured Brother

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

RV Driver to Face Serious Felony Charges After Striking Boys Riding E-Scooter The 46-year-old man who was allegedly driving under...

Late-Night Traffic Stop in L.A. Lands Rap Star Soulja Boy Back in Legal Spotlight

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rapper Taken Into Custody During Early Morning Traffic Stop Rapper Soulja Boy was taken into custody early Sunday after Los...

Deadly Crosswalk Hit and Run in West Adams, Victim Hit Multiple Times and Left to Die

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Police Seek Public Help to Identify Three Drivers Who Struck and Killed a Pedestrian  Detectives with the Los Angeles Police...