Following this morning’s confirmation by the LAPD that the vehicle involved in the crash that killed Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin was a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee — the same make that was the subject of recalls due to its involvement with other rollaway crashes — Fiat Chrysler says it will investigate the incident.
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The probe was first reported by Reuters and Fiat Chrysler provided the following statement to Gizmodo:
FCA US extends its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Yelchin. The Company is in contact with the authorities and is conducting a thorough investigation. It is premature to speculate on the cause of this tragedy.
Yelchin, 27, died early Sunday morning after he was pinned between his Jeep and a brick mailbox at the bottom of his driveway.
The voluntary recall, which affected both 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee models as well as 2012-2014 Dodge Chargers and Chrysler 300s, was instituted because of issues related to the cars’ shifter. The recall involved some 1.1 million vehicles after it was determined that some drivers weren’t clear on whether their vehicles were in a “drive” or “park” position.
According to Fiat Chrysler, the confusion may have led to 41 injuries, though the company said that “the vehicles involved in these events were inspected and no evidence of equipment failure was found”.
The crash is still under investigation by police. A spokeswoman for the LAPD confirmed that foul play wasn’t suspected.