'Star Trek' actor Anton Yelchin killed by own car at Studio City home

LOS ANGELES >> Actor Anton Yelchin, who was best known for his role as Chekov in the new “Star Trek” films, was found dead early Sunday after he was crushed by his own vehicle at his Studio City home, Los Angeles police said.

The 27-year-old star was found deceased at about 1:10 a.m. Sunday in the driveway of his home in the 3800 block of Berry Drive, said Officer Jey Houser of LAPD’s Media Relations Section.

The victim’s unspecified vehicle had rolled backward on his steep driveway, piing him against a brick mailbox pillar and a security fence, Officer Regina Smith of LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division said.

“The victim was a well-known actor, who was en route to meet with friends for rehearsal,” Smith said. “When he didn’t show up, friends responded to his residence, where they located him deceased by his own vehicle.”

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It appeared Yelchin had momentarily exited his car, leaving it in the driveway, and was behind it when it rolled back, she said. He suffered trauma as a result of being pied between the vehicle and the brick pillar, she added.

Yelchin’s family was notified by friends who discovered him, Smith said.

Paramount Pictures, in a statement, said all of their staff joins the world in mouing the sudden death of Yelchin.

“As a member of the Star Trek family, he was beloved by so many and he will (be) missed by all,” the company said. “We share our deepest condolences with his mother, father and family.”

Yelchin launched his career with small roles in indie films and television shows before he starred in films like the crime thriller “Alpha Dog” and the teen comedy “Charlie Bartlett.” His most prominent role was in the rebooted “Star Trek” films — the third of which, “Star Trek Beyond” comes out next month.

Yelchin, who was bo in Russia, was an only child. His parents, who were professional figure skaters, moved the family to the U.S. when Yelchin was a baby.

The actor attended the high school Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies in Reseda, according to IMDb.

Yelchin’s family requests privacy at this time, according to his publicist.

Anyone with additional information about the collision is asked to call Valley Traffic Division Detective William Bustos at 818-644-8021. During non-business hours or on weekends, they should call 1-877-LAPD-247. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous should call 1-800-222-TIPS.

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The Associated Press and staff writer Bob Strauss contributed to this report.