Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin killed in ‘freak’ car accident at age 27

Celebrities: Charismatic and rising actor Anthony Yelchin, best known for playing the role of Chekov in the new Star Trek films, has died at the age of 27.

Yelchin's publicist, jennifer Allen who confirmed his death, said he was killed in a fatal traffic collision during the night.
In a contradicting report according to TMZ, the young actor was killed after reportedly getting pinned to a brick mailbox by his own car at his Los Angeles home.
His friends reportedly went to his home at about 1am and found him pinned between his car and a brick mailbox attached to a security gate.

In a statement by LAPD spokeswoman, Jenny Houser said ''it appears he momentarily exited his car and it rolled backward down a steep driveway, pinning him and causing trauma that led to his death'
Police said the car’s engine was on when his body was found, and that the car was in neutral. The driveway was said to be on a fairly steep incline. It’s unclear why he got out of the car. But police said they do not suspect any foul play.

Yelchin who was born in Russia is the only child of his parents. His parents moved to the United States when Yelchin was a baby.