American actor and racing driver Paul Walker died from injuries sustained in a crash while riding as passenger in a Porsche Carrera GT on Saturday afternoon. Walker, 40, was attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide in Santa Clarita, north of Los Angeles at the time.
According to reports, the car that Walker was a passenger in hit a tree and lamp post and burst into flames. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said in a statement that there was a car accident that involved two fatalities in Valencia, a community in Santa Clarita at about 15:30.
Walker’s publicist, Ame van Iden, confirmed that the actor had been among the deceased. The driver of the vehicle is believed to have been Roger Rodas, the owner of Always Evolving – an automotive enterprise that included a motorsport team for which both Rodas and Walker raced.
“Him and his buddy, his brother in arms at heart just decided to joyride, take a spin. Something we all do. We’re all car enthusiasts. We’re all here driving, enjoying each other,” a witness said.
Always Evolving Performance Motors had been hosting a toy drive and car meet on Saturday.
Walker, better known for his role as Brian O’Conner in the Fast and Furious film franchise made 32 films in a 27-year career in the movie industry.
He leaves behind a 15-year old daughter.
