Fast & Furious actor Paul Walker survived the initial impact of the Porsche crash which killed him and his business partner Roger Rodas. The Los Angeles County coroner says that autopsy reports indicate that Rodas died on impact but that Walker died from a combination of his injuries and the ensuing fire.
Rodas and Walker were leaving an event when Rodas lost control of a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT and hit a light pole and tree. The Porsche exploded in flames after the impact. Graphic video of the crash has been posted on gossip websites such as TMZ.
Walker and Rodas had a passion for exotic cars and racing. The two co-owned a car-customization and race prep shop in California.
Although initial reports of a drag race have since been discredited by police officers, investigators say that speed was a contributing factor in this accident. It is unclear whether drugs and alcohol were also involved. Toxicology tests are expected back in about 6 to 8 weeks, the NY Daily News reports.
The Porsche Carrera GT is notoriously hard to handle. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the company may have discontinued producing the car a few years ago because it was unpredictable and dangerous.
“I think conservative estimates say something like 70 of these are off the road, and they keep severely injuring and killing people,” one former Porsche manager told reporters.