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RIP Chekov — Parallax Forums

RIP Chekov

ercoerco Posts: 20,256
edited 2016-06-22 08:00 in General Discussion
I just saw that Anton Yelchin, who played Chekov in the Star Trek reboot, was killed by his own Jeep on Sunday. A faulty park/neutral gearshift may be the cause.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Yelchin

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/21/business/jeep-that-crushed-anton-yelchin-had-been-recalled.html?_r=0

Comments

  • JordanCClarkJordanCClark Posts: 198
    edited 2016-06-22 11:51
    Sad day all around. He was like what, 27? Not much older than my daughter.

    Yelchin brought the youthful eagerness that I always imagined Chekov would have. Not that I disliked Walter Koenigs's protrayal, I just don't think they had enough time to develop him more while TOS was filming.

    FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) was, of course, quick to say he jury's still out on the cause. Even if it turns out not to be the root cause the public outcry will still make it so.

  • Martin_HMartin_H Posts: 4,051
    My condolences to his family and friends.

    We discussed this at the breakfast table in my home . I told my kids about a friend of mine who was seriously injured in a similar incident. He made a full recovery, but the take away is a car in neutral on even a slight incline can become a hazard. A car can develop a huge amount of momentum, and be relatively silent while rolling behind you. When you turn around you first reaction may be to try and physically stop the car which won't be possible.
  • MikeDYurMikeDYur Posts: 2,176
    Tragic and senseless loss of life.

    Give me a mechanical system anytime, a more positive feel than a shift by wire, something I can inspect and repair myself. Not crazy about these self diving cars either, I cherish my drivers license to much to hand the responsibility off to the vehicle.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    Yep. An old a acquaintance broke his spine when a car rolled backwards with the door open.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    My 1960 Corvair and many other Chevies had 2-speed Powerhouse automatic transmissions with no PARK position, only neutral. Fully dependent on the under dash hand brake lever.

    Anton's Jeep had some new non-intuitive shift lever which will surely be the object of serious scrutiny in the investigation.
  • TorTor Posts: 2,010
    But a gearbox is not, and must never be used as, a brake. Countless fatal accidents have been caused by people forgetting that. A car that is not moving shall have a foot on the brake at all times, and the handbrake is for securing the car when you leave it. You have to follow that practice at all times, without exception so that it's as natural, and unavoidable, as breathing.
    Or tragic incidents like this will (not can, but *will*) happen.
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