Anton Yelchin's parents sue Fiat Chrysler over Star Trek actor's car crash death

Anton Yelchin's parents are reportedly preparing to sue car manufacturer Fiat Chrysler over the Star Trek actor's death. Yelchin died on 19 June 2016 after being crushed by his own 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee when it rolled backwards down the steep driveway of his home in San Fernando Valley, California.

Yelchin's death was ruled an accident by the LA county coroner's office who also established the cause of death as blunt traumatic asphyxia. According to TMZ, Yelchin's parents Irina and Viktor Yelchin are intent on filing a lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler, who make the Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles, and manufacturer ZF North America, citing wrongful death.

The family are also said to be suing the AutoNation car retailer which is thought to be where Yelchin purchased the vehicle. Yelchin's parents are reportedly seeking punitive damages "for the wrongful death of their son due to significant defects" in the Jeep.

It is reported that they will officially announce their lawsuit during a press conference alongside their lawyer Gary Dordick in Los Angeles on 2 August.

In the days after Yelchin's death, it was revealed that 1.1 million Jeep Grand Cherokee's purchased between 16 July 2012 and 22 December 2015 had been recalled by the FCA US after the manufacturer discovered they had a "rollaway risk". Yelchin's vehicle is said to have been purchased during this time period. Since April 2016, 212 crashes, 308 incidents of damage to properties and 41 injuries were reported as a direct result of the defect.

The actor's parents have another legal battle on their hands with reports that the Hollywood actor did not leave a will. TMZ reports that Viktor and Irina filed probate documents in Los Angeles county on 1 August in a bid to obtain control of his estate.

According to the publication, Yelchin, who was 27 at the time of his death, had an estate worth almost $1.4m including $731,000 in equity on his San Fernando Valley home and $641,000 in cash and personal property.

One of Yelchin's final film projects, Star Trek Beyond, was released in July 2016. The film's producer JJ Abrams has confirmed that Yelchin's role will not be replaced in future sequels in the franchise. Abrams told The Toronto Sun: "I would say there's no replacing him. There's no recasting. I can't possibly imagine that, and I think Anton deserves better."