Tributes Pouring in for Anton Yelchin

STUDIO CITY, CA - Condolences were being posted on social media today by people who knew and worked with actor Anton Yelchin, the day after he died from blunt traumatic asphyxia when he was pinned between the rear of his vehicle and the gate of his Studio City home

Yelchin, 27, was pronounced dead at 1:10 a.m. Sunday at his home in the 3800 block of Berry Drive, Investigator Selena Barros of the Los Angeles County coroner's office said. The coroner's office ruled the death an accident, according to its website.

"RIP Anton Yelchin. I had the pleasure of meeting this gifted young man...Condolences to friends/family," wrote actor Orlando Jones.

"Anton was a sweetheart. Absolutely a great creative partner and artist," wrote director Guillermo del Toro.
"Anton Yelchin was one of my best friends. Can't say anything that conveys what this feels like," wrote actor Kat Dennings.

The fatality occurred as a result of Yelchin's Jeep Grand Cherokee car rolling backwards down his steep driveway, crushing him against a brick mailbox pillar and a security fence, according to Officer Jenny Houser of the LAPD's Media Relations Section.

"It appeared that he momentarily exited his car, leaving the driveway,' said Houser.

Yelchin, who was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, portrayed Chekov in the latest installment of the "Star Trek" films and appeared in such films as "Alpha Dog," "Terminator Salvation" and "Charlie Bartlett."

He was supposed to meet up with friends for rehearsal Sunday, Houser said. When he did not show up, his friends went to his home and found him dead by his vehicle.

An only child, Yelchin was six months old when he moved with his family to the U.S. in September 1989. His mother worked as a figure skating choreographer and his father as a figure skating coach.

--City News Service; Image By Philippe Berdalle via Wikimedia Commons