Officials Say Speed Played A Factor In Paul Walker Crash
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fans of "Fast & Furious" star Paul Walker created a makeshift memorial Sunday at the site where a car he was riding in crashed, killing the actor and a friend.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says speed was a factor in the one-car crash in the community of Valencia, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Deputies found a 2005 red Porsche Carrera GT engulfed in flames when they arrived Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, fans of Walker, 40, gathered to leave flowers, candles and memorabilia from the action film franchise.
Walker's publicist said Sunday that the other person in the car was Roger Rodas, a friend of Walker's who owned a sport car dealership in Valencia.
Ame Van Iden said the actor was the passenger, though the sheriff's department did not confirm that.
The Porsche crashed into a light pole and tree and burst into flames. The downed light pole had a speed limit sign of 45 mph.
Sheriff's deputy Peter Gomez said investigators are working to determine how fast the car was traveling and what caused it to go out of control, including whether the driver was distracted or something in the road prompted him to swerve.
Walker and Rodas had attended a fundraiser benefiting victims of the recent typhoon in the Philippines. The event was held by Walker's Reach Out Worldwide, a charity he founded in 2010 to aid victims of natural disasters.
The fundraiser and toy drive took place at Rodas' custom car shop, Always Evolving. Attendees rushed to the nearby crash to try to put out the flames with fire extinguishers.
The car crash was so forceful that witnesses surmise Walker and Rodas died on impact.
RELATED STORIES:
» Stars React To Paul Walker's Death, Other Crash Victim Identified
» 'Fast And Furious' Star Paul Walker Killed In Fiery Car Crash
