LOS ANGELES, June 19 (UPI) — Actor Anton Yelchin, who played Chekov in “Star Trek” movies, was killed after getting pinned by his car at his Studio City, Calif., home.
Yelchin was seen in films such as “Like Crazy,” “Terminator Salvation,” “The Beaver,” “Fright Night,” “Charlie Bartlett” and “Alpha Dog.” He also lent his voice to the character of Clumsy Smurf in “The Smurfs” and “The Smurfs 2.”
After he failed to show up a rehearsal, Yelchin’s friends went to his home around 1 a.m. and found him pinned between his car and a brick mailbox pillar attached to a security gate, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department.
The engine was running and the car was in neutral, police said.
The driveway was on a fairly steep incline.
CNN interviewed Jennifer Houser, a spokesperson for the LAPD who said, “It appears that he momentarily left his car, leaving it in the driveway. He was behind the vehicle when it rolled backward and pinned him to the brick pillar causing the trauma that led to his death.”
The sequel “Star Trek Beyond,” directed by Justin Lin, is set for release next month.
Screenwriter Tyler Shields shared his reaction on Twitter:
“I had dinner with Anton Yelchin 2 nights ago we talked about shooting together and making movies he is a great guy very sad to see him go.”
