Fast and the Furious -Paul Walker Died Within Seconds of Crash

Fast and Furious' actor Paul Walker dies in car crash

Published December 01, 2013

FoxNews.com

Coroner Ed Winters said the bodies were so badly burned they would take days to positively identify.

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A representative for the actor confirmed his death in an e-mail to Fox News Saturday evening. Firefighters extinguished the blaze — and then found the two victims in the charred wreckage. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Police said speed was a factor in the crash.

“Sadly, I must confirm that Paul did pass away this afternoon in a car accident,” said his rep, Ame Van Iden.

DAVE J. HOGAN/GETTY IMAGES

From left to right: Luke Evans, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Gal Gadot, Paul Walker, Justin Lin, Elisa Pataky, Vin Diesel, Gina Carano, Tyrese Gibson and Ssung Kang attend the world premiere of "Fast & Furious 6" in London, England, on May 7.

"All of us at Universal are heartbroken," Universal Pictures, the studio behind "The Fast the Furious" franchise, said in a statement following Walker's death.

RELATED: MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ ANSWERS SIX ‘FAST & FURIOUS’ QUESTIONS FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS VIVA

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

Paul Walker in "2 Fast 2 Furious." The franchise was his most well-known work.

"Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the Fast and Furious films, and to countless fans."

In a grim twist, Walker’s death came just days after he was the victim of an online death hoax. Several celebs and journalists took to Twitter hoping the new reports were another sick joke.

ANDRE PENNER/AP

Walker entered show business when he was just a toddler. The actor is seen here modeling the Colcci summer collection with Erin Heatherton (left) and Izabel Goulart at Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Brazil on March 21. 

His “Fast and Furious” co-stars bared their heartbreak after his death was confirmed. “Brother, I will miss you very much,” Vin Diesel wrote on Instagram. “Heaven has gained a new Angel.”

“I am so beyond heartbroken right now,” James Wan, director of “Fast & Furious 7,” wrote on Facebook.

PAUL WALKER VIA TWITTER

This photo, sent out on Nov. 29, was the last tweeted from Paul Walker's account before his death, showing him with co-starts Tyrese Gibson and Vin Diesel: "The boys are back. Will you be ready? - #TeamPW #FastFridays."

RELATED: ‘FAST & FURIOUS 6’ FEATURES WILDER STUNTS AND CRAZIER VEHICLES

Walker, raised a Mormon in the Los Angeles suburb of Sunland-Tujunga, entered show business when he was just a toddler. He scored roles in popular TV shows, including “Highway to Heaven,” and “Who’s the Boss?” His film career took off after he snagged a supporting role in the 1999 hit “Varsity Blues.”

CHRIS WEEKS/AP

"The Fast and the Furious" cast members Paul Walker, Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez (left to right) arrive at the world premiere of the film on June 18, 2001, in Los Angeles. The franchise had seven total films.

Walker leaves behind a daughter, Meadow, 15. In his last tweet, on Friday, he posted a photo of him, Diesel and co-star Tyrese Gibson. “The boys are back,” read the message hyping the release of the seventh in the “Fast and Furious” franchise. “Will you be ready?”

With Nancy Dillon and Joe Stepansky 

FOREFRONT MEDIA GROUP

Paul Walker in "Vehicle 19."

On a mobile device? Watch the video from the scene of the accident here.

See more images of the crash scene here.

JAIMIE TRUEBLOOD/UNIVERSAL PICTURES VIA AP

Paul Walker, as agent Brian O'Conner, leans against his 1998 Nissan Skyline GTR in a scene from "The Fast and the Furious."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/paul-walker-dies-crash-report-article-1.1533786#ixzz2mEpP9pJ9

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that two people were killed in the crash, which occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time in Santa Clarita, Calif. A statement on the accident from the department said that deputies found the car engulfed in flames when they arrived at the scene. 

Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim has not been identified. The Los Angeles County Coroner told KTTV's Kevin Takumi that dental records would be needed to formally identify the bodies. 

A statement on the actor's official Facebook page said that Walker was a passenger in the car, and had been at a charity event for his organization, Reach Out Worldwide earlier in the day.

"We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news," the statement read in part. "Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time. We will do our best to keep you apprised on where to send condolences."

Walker, a Southern California native and the oldest of five children, began acting at a young age when he appeared in commercials, and his television credits include appearances on "The Young and the Restless" and "Who's The Boss?" 

Walker said the early induction to show business wasn't to start him on a career path, but was a way to help provide for the family. Walker made his feature film debut in the 1998 comedy "Meet the Deedles." Supporting roles in the films "Pleasantville," ''Varsity Blues" and "She's All That" followed.

But it was his turns opposite Vin Diesel in "The Fast and the Furious" films, adapted from a Vibe magazine article about underground street races, that made Walker a star. He was cast by producer Neal H. Moritz, whom Walker had impressed with his performance in the 2000 thriller, "The Skulls."

Walker reprised his role as Brian O'Conner in four of the five sequels made of the 2001 hit. The latest edition, "Fast & Furious 6," was the most lucrative of them all, grossing more than $788 million worldwide following its May release. 

According to the Internet Movie Database, Walker was to appear in "Fast & Furious 7," due out next July. He will also appear in the film "Hours," due out December 13.

Universal Pictures, the studio behind the "Fast & Furious" films, released the following statement Saturday evening: "All of us at Universal are heartbroken. Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the FAST AND FURIOUS films, and to countless fans. We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul's family."

Walker starred in other films, including the crime thriller "Running Scared," the Antarctic adventure "Eight Below" and the heist film "Takers." Though his stardom didn't make as much of an impact outside the "Fast & Furious" series, Walker continually drew praise from his co-stars and directors as a kind-hearted and eager collaborator.

"Your humble spirit was felt from the start," said Ludacris, Walker's "Fast & Furious" co-star, on Twitter. "Wherever you blessed your presence you always left a mark, we were like brothers."

Walker is survived by his 15-year-old daughter, Meadow.

According to a post on Walker's Facebook page, he was a passenger in a friend's car at the time of the crash, which happened while he was attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's department said the crash happened in community of Valencia. The Santa Clarita Signal reports a red Porsche crashed into a light pole and tree and burst into flames, killing both occupants. Photos from the scene show a pile of twisted metal and broken windows.

Police haven't confirmed the names of the victims or the cause of the crash.

First responders gather evidence near the wreckage of a Porsche sports car that crashed into a light pole north of Los Angeles Saturday afternoon. (Dan Watson/The Santa Clarita Valley Signal/Associated Press)

Walker, 40, was working on the latestThe Fast and the Furious movie at the time of his death. He also starred in the suspense dramaHours, a movie that is set for release this month.

Walker rode the The Fast and the Furiousfranchise to stardom, starring in all but one of the six action blockbusters, beginning with the first film in 2001. The blond-haired, blue-eyed Los Angeles-native brought California surfer good-looks and an easy, warm charm to the popular street-racing series.

"All of us at Universal are heartbroken," Universal Pictures said in a statement. "Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the 'Fast and Furious' films, and to countless fans."

Early start in show business

The son of a fashion model and a sewer contractor, Walker grew up in a working class, Mormon Los Angeles household. The oldest of five siblings, Walker's mother began taking him to auditions as a toddler. He was a child model beginning at the age of 2.

Walker has said the early induction to show business wasn't to start him on a career path, but as a way to help provide for the family.

After a string of TV roles as a child in the '80s, Walker made his feature film debut in the 1998 comedy Meet the Deedles. Supporting roles in the films Pleasantville, Varsity Blues and She's All That followed.

His performance in the 2000 thriller The Skulls caught the eye of producer Neal H. Moritz, who cast him in The Fast and the Furious as undercover police officer Brian O'Conner. Adapted from a Vibe magazine article about underground street races, the film became an unexpected hit.

In the sequel, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Walker moved to centre stage with his co-star Vin Diesel momentarily dropping out. Walker, a self-described "gearhead," kept his character's sports car from the film.

Walker starred in other films, including the crime thriller Running Scared, the Antarctic adventure Eight Below and the heist film Takers. Though his stardom didn't make as much of an impact outside the The Fast and the Furious series, Walker continually drew praise from his co-stars and directors as a kind-hearted and eager collaborator.

And The Fast and The Furious proved unusually enduring. Released in May, The Fast and Furious 6 was the most lucrative of them all, grossing more than $788 million worldwide. The seventh installment began shooting in September, with a release planned for July.

"Your humble spirit was felt from the start," said Ludacris, Walker's The Fast and the Furious co-star, on Twitter. "Wherever you blessed your presence you always left a mark, we were like brothers."

Walker is survived by his 15-year-old daughter.

I Feel so bad we lost Paul Walker,What a GREAT guy we would hav been happier with, His movies started growing on me about 8 years ago,and its sad we don't know everything about a person how kind he was until he goes to heaven, well Paul Walker your fame will carry on forever!! We love you, may you rest in peace and may your spirit go on through he rest of us in being  giving loving and kind as you were, thank you for being you!

Please Post as many post as you would like here to express your feeling about this Tragic accident and don't forget to share to show you care..

UPDATES HERE!!!

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By Carla Rivera and Shelby Grad

December 1, 2013, 8:56 a.m.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials on Sunday sought to sort out the circumstances of a fiery crash in Santa Clarita that left "Fast and Furious" actor Paul Walker and another man dead.

Walker was apparently the passenger in a red Porsche that crashed Saturday afternoon, soon after the actor attended a charity event.

Sheriff's officials said speed may have been a factor in the crash, which took place on a normally quiet street with a 45 mph speed limit. The Porsche was badly burned and mangled.

PHOTOS: Paul Walker: 1973-2013

Witnesses said the car was fully engulfed in fire.

“When I went out there, it was just smoke. Just black smoke. I thought it was a brush fire,” Alyssa Yorton told the Los Angeles Daily News.

"It was engulfed in flames. There was nothing. They were trapped," Antonio Holmes, who said he was a friend of Walker's, told the Santa Clarita Valley Signal. He added the actor had been at a charity event earlier in the day. Holmes said the Porsche appeared to hit a tree and then slam into a light standard.

KTLA News reported that debris from the crash shattered a window in a nearby building.

The single-vehicle crash occurred about 3:30 p.m. in the 28300 block of Rye Canyon Loop. 

PHOTOS: Celebrities react to the death of Paul Walker

The cause of the crash is under investigation, sheriff’s Deputy Kim Manatt told The Times.

According to a statement posted on his Twitter account, Walker, 40, was attending a charity event to aid Filipino victims of Typhoon Haiyan for his organization Reach Out Worldwide, formed in 2010 as a quick-response first-aid organization.

“It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide,” the statement said. “He was a passenger in a friend's car, in which both lost their lives. We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news.”

Universal Pictures released a statement:

“All of us at Universal are heartbroken. Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the 'Fast and Furious' films, and to countless fans. We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul's family.”

At the time of his death, Walker, who also starred in "Pleasantville" and "Varsity Blues," was working on the seventh film of the “Fast and Furious” franchise.

There was a growing memorial at the crash site as people paid their respects.

UPDATES HERE 12-4-13

Paul Walker died from the "combined effects of traumatic and thermal injuries" in Saturday's car accident in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office reported today.

Walker, 40, was the passenger in a 2005 Porsche driven by financial adviser Roger Rodas, 38, that crashed and then erupted in flames after striking a light pole and tree.

The coroner's office told ABC News that two different doctors did autopsies on the two men. They found that Rodas died on impact, with Walker dying "maybe" a few seconds after from the combined effects of the impact and the fire.

"Both deaths have been ruled by the coroner to be accidents," the report adds.

The report confirms that the two men who died in the vehicle were in fact Walker and Rodas, after reports earlier in the week that dental records were needed to identify the deceased.

Related: Tyrese Gibson Heartbroken Over Paul Walker's Death

Toxicology reports are expected in six to eight weeks.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's investigators are still trying to determine the cause of Saturday's crash, which claimed the life of the "Fast & Furious" star and his friend. They have said speed was a factor.

Sheriff's detective Jeff Maag told People magazine the driver "was doing well over 45 [mph] – [it's] fair to say at least twice that."

Read: Paul Walker's Father Recalls Last Talk With His Son

That means Maag believes Rodas was going at least 90 mph on a street where the limit was just 45.

He added it will take days or weeks to complete the investigation and conclude how fast the car was going and whether mechanical problems caused the crash

Paul Walker Died Within Seconds of Crash, Coroner Rules