The "Star Trek" co-stars and colleagues of Anton Yelchin expressed their shock and sadness over the actor's untimely death. Director Justin Lin, Karl Urban, John Cho, Zachary Quinto, Levar Burton and James Doohan's son, Chris Doohan took to social media to express their shock and sadness over the loss of such a talent.
Executive Producer J.J. Abrams who directed "Star Trek" films in 2009 and 2013 likewise posted a moving tribute to the young actor, calling him kind, supremely talented and brilliant. "Star Trek: Beyond" studio, Paramount Pictures released a statement expressing the entire company joining the mourning of Yelchin's passing. It said the young actor was beloved by many and will be missed by all.
The 27-year-old actor portrayed Pavel Chekov, a 17-year-old genius with superb mathematical ability and delightful Russian accent. He appeared in the 2009 "Star Trek" and 2013 "Star Trek Into Darkness."
Jodie Foster and Drake Doremus, who directed Yelchin in 2011 in "The Beaver" and "Like Crazy" also paid tributes. Doremus found it difficult to process Yelchin's death news and wished it was fake. Many other stars are mourning, including Chris Evans, Logan Lerman, Anna Kendrick, Kat Dennings and Olivia Wilde.
Yelchin was killed by his own car, a two-ton Fiat Chrysler 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which he reportedly left in neutral in front of their house gate and with the engine still running. The jeep was believed to have rolled in reverse down a steep driveway, fatally pinning the actor against a security fence and a mailbox pillar.
The actor's publicist Jennifer Allen confirmed his death. The accident happened on June 19, Sunday, at around 1:10 a.m. in Studio City at Yelchin's home.
"It appears he momentarily exited his car and it rolled backward, causing trauma that led to his death," LAPD spokeswoman Jenny Houser told The Hollywood Reporter. The Pavel Chekov actor was about to meet his friends who checked on him when he did not respond and found what happened.
Yelchin's car is in the list of vehicles that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling due to "rollaway risk." Some Jeep Grand Cherokees in 2014 and 2015 made between July 16, 2012 and Dec. 22, 2015 were recalled by the auto firm in April for transmission issues which could possibly roll away the vehicle after being parked.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigated 14 complaints of rollaway cases after shifts to the park gear. Yelchin's vehicle is now investigated for possible mechanical faults, a spokesperson from LAPD told Variety.
Yelchin's last "Star Trek" movie is coming to theaters on July 22. He also signed last month to co-star in "Mr. Mercedes," a Stephen King 10-episode straight-to-series on DirectTV/the Audience Network.
Watch the best of Pavel Chekov below: