'Star Trek' Actor Anton Yelchin Dies In Freak Auto Accident
LOS ANGELES (CBSNewYork/CBSLA.com/AP) -- Anton Yelchin, a charismatic and rising actor best known for playing Chekov in the new ``Star Trek'' films, has died at the age of 27.
Yelchin was killed in a fatal traffic collision early Sunday morning, his publicist, Jennifer Allen confirmed.
According to the LAPD, Yelchin was killed when his vehicle rolled backward down a steep driveway, pinning him against a brick mailbox pillar and a security fence at his home Drive in Studio City, California, CBS Los Angeles reported.
Yelchin started small with roles in indie films and various television shows, before breaking out in films like the crime thriller "Alpha Dog" and the teenage comedy "Charlie Bartlett."
His biggest role to date has been in the rebooted "Star Trek" films, in which he took over the role first portrayed by Walter Koenig. The third new film, "Star Trek Beyond" comes out in July.
Yelchin, an only child, was born in Russia. His parents were professional figure skaters who moved the family to the United States when Yelchin was a baby. Yelchin's family members requested privacy.
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