It was a total freak accident, but perhaps Anton Yelchin’s death is one that could have been prevented.
The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee that the Star Trek actor was driving at the time of his passing had recently been recalled.
A flaw in the design made it possible for the car to roll even after being parked, according to People Magazine.
The 27-year-old actor’s body was pinned between the Jeep and the gate of his Studio City, Calif., home on June 19.
This occurred after the car rolled backwards down a steep driveway,
Though an autopsy has not yet been released, authorities believe Yelchin died from head and lung trauma after not properly putting the car in park.
An official from told the publication that Jeep Grand Cherokees made between July 16, 2012 and December 22, 2015 were recalled in April.
The vehicles were recalled due to a “possible transmission defect.”
As many as 41 injuries related to the defect have been reported.
These 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees had gear-shift designs that make it difficult to determine what gear the car is in.
The report, conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, stated:
“Drivers erroneously concluding 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.”
Chrysler told People that it’s too soon after Yelchin’s accident “to speculate on the cause of this tragedy.”
The car company also expressed sympathy for Yelchin’s loved ones, and vowed to conduct “a thorough investigation” of his car.
Yelchin will posthumously star in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Beyond, opening July 22.
“He was a beautiful person full of love and a joy to be around,” CAA agent Jim Darmody (who co-represented Yelchin) told Variety.
“We are just devastated.”
