The body of the Russian-born actor was found at around 1am on his driveway in San Fernadino, California. He had been hit by his own car, police sources told TMZ.
A friend found Yelchin's body pinned between his car and a brick mail box, which was attached to a security gate.
The car was in neutral at the time with the engine still running, with the source adding that the driveway had a steep incline.
The friend had visited the home after growing concerned when Yelchin failed to attend a planned rehearsal earlier in the evening.
Police are still investigating the sudden death, but sources told TMZ that there were not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.
'It appears he momentarily exited his car and it rolled backward, causing trauma that led to his death,' LAPD spokeswoman Jenny Houser told the Hollywood Reporter.
Yelchin's publicist confirmed the sad news, saying in a statement: 'Anton Yelchin was killed in a fatal traffic collision early this morning. His family requests you respect their privacy at this time.'
Yelchin was born in Saint Petersburg in Russia, the son of well-known professional figure-skaters Irina and Viktor Yelchin.
After 15 years as the stars of Russia’s Ice Ballet, the Yelchins fled to the United States as political refugees when their only child was still a baby.
Raised in Los Angeles, Yelchin attended the University of Southern California.
He started acting as a child, taking his first professional role at age nine in A Man Is Mostly Water.
Small roles in indie films and various television shows followed, before he broke out in films like the crime thriller Alpha Dog and the teenage comedy Charlie Bartlett.
His biggest role to date had been a recurring role as Ensign Chekov in the rebooted Star Trek films - the third of which, Star Trek Beyond comes out in July.
He also appeared in Terminator Salvation, Jim Jarmush’s Only Lovers Left Alive, and Hearts In Atlantis, based on a novel by Stephen King.
Yelchin's famous friends and colleagues rushed to share their condolences after learning the tragic news.
'This is unreal,' the actor's friend Anna Kendrick tweeted on Sunday. 'Anton Yelchin is such a talent. Such a huge loss.'
His Star Trek co-star John Cho added: 'I loved Anton Yelchin so much. He was a true artist - curious, beautiful, courageous. He was a great pal and a great son. I'm in ruins.'
Chad Michael Murray tweeted: 'Just heard about Anton Yelchin. What a great talent and good young man. Gone far too soon...Terrible loss. You will be missed.'
British comedian Matt Lucas wrote: 'Dreadful news about Anton Yelchin. I thought he was an amazing actor.'
Chris Kelly was one of many to complement the growing star's acting skills.
'Very sad to hear Anton Yelchin has died,' he wrote. 'Do yourself a favor and watch "Like Crazy." I love love love that movie. And he is amazing in it.'
'Anton Yelchin was one of my best friends', Kat Dennings wrote.
'Can't say anything that conveys what this feels like.'
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