Yelchin's parents, Irina and Victor, are suing the manufacturers of the Jeep Grand Cherokee that killed their son after it rolled backwards down his steep driveway in L.A.
The parents of the late Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin broke down in tears at a press conference as they revealed that they’re planning to sue car manufacturers Fiat Chrysler for the “wrongful death” of their son.
On June 19th this year, Yelchin was discovered pinned against the closed gate of his driveway at his home in Studio City, California, after his Jeep Grand Cherokee had rolled backwards after it was parked, and crushed him to death.
The 27 year old actor’s parents, Irina and Victor, gave an emotional press conference on Wednesday (August 3rd), during which they announced their intention to sue Fiat Chrysler, the manufacturer of the Jeep Grand Cherokee model in question, as well as manufacturer ZF North American and the AutoNation car retailer.
Anton Yelchin's parents are suing Fiat Chrysler for the 'wrongful death' of their son
It was discovered Fiat Chrysler had had to recall the Jeep Grand Cherokee after a gear shifter design defect was found, connected with such driverless rollaway accidents in the recent past.
However, the investigation after Yelchin’s death, ruled as an accident by the coroner when an autopsy found the actor died of ‘blunt force asphyxia’, found that Fiat Chrysler sent a letter advising him on how to fix the defect, which was sent a week after he died. The family’s lawyer described this effort as “way too little, way too late”.
“Anton was our only son and was a remarkable human being,” said Victor Yelchin at the conference, with their lawyer also present. “He was very modest, very simple, very honest, generous, loving. It is wrong, it is against nature when parents bury (their) own child.”
In spite of their “unbelievable grief”, Yelchin’s parents said they wanted to speak out and hold the car manufacturers responsible, to prevent similar deaths. “Anton never wanted anything for himself,” his mother Irina told the conference. “He never cared about being a star. He just loved movies, us, his friends and he loved life very, very much.”
She added that while her son was always special, “now he is very special, because his death may save other lives.”
It comes after Jeep Grand Cherokee owners filed a class-action lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler, accusing the company of concealing the design defect after they had discovered it, as well as dragging their heels over issuing a recall when it became apparent that related accidents were becoming common.
The Yelchins will be suing for an unspecified amount of damages owing to the vehicle’s “significant defects”.
More: Anton Yelchin’s parents thank fans for their thoughts and well-wishes in full-page ad
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