2 Aug – The parents of "Star Trek" actor, Anton Yelchin, are lawyering up and planning to sue several companies for the wrongful death of their son. Yelchin's parents, Victor and Irina, will be going after Fiat Chrysler, which made the Cherokee that malfunctioned and caused the 27-year-old's death, and other companies that they believe are responsible for the unfortunate incident, according to TMZ. Last June, the actor succumbed to blunt traumatic asphyxia after being pinned by his late-model Jeep Grand Cherokee against a security gate when the car rolled backwards down the sloping driveway. After his death, Fiat Chrysler face a class action lawsuit, the particular line of Jeep has a faulty e-shift, which misleads drivers to think that their vehicle is in park even when it's not.
An attorney representing Yelchin's parents stated that the couple wants punitive damages "for the wrongful death of their son due to significant defects" in the Jeep. Yelchin's parents also seek to control his estate, as it was revealed that their son passed away without a will, leaving behind his estate that totals just under $1.4 million, which includes at least USD641,000 in personal property and USD731,000 in equity in his home, NBC News reported. Yelchin was most recently seen in "Star Trek Beyond", reprising his role as Pavel Chekov. It had been confirmed by director J. J. Abrams that the role will not be recast. The late actor's other posthumous releases include "We Don't Belong Here", "Porto", "Odd Thomas" and "Thoroughbred". (Photo source: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)