|
 Accident investigators "have received eyewitness statements that the
car involved was traveling alone at a high rate of speed," the Los
Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement Monday. "No
eyewitness has contacted the (department) to say there was a second
vehicle."
Walker and his friend and fellow fast-car enthusiast Roger Rodas
died Saturday when Rodas' 2005 Porsche Carrera GT smashed into a
light pole and tree, then exploded in flames. The posted limit was
45 mph.
The two had taken what was expected to be a brief drive away from a
charity fundraiser and toy drive at Rodas' custom car shop in
Valencia, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Walker's
publicist said the action star was the passenger.
The crash happened on a street that forms an approximately 1-mile
loop amid industrial office parks. It is rimmed by hills and
relatively isolated from traffic, especially on weekends when the
businesses are closed.
"It's well-known out here that that's a hot spot for street racers,"
California Highway Patrol Sgt. Rick Miler said.
Skid marks are a testament to past antics on the loop. The sheriff's
department, which polices the neighborhood, said Saturday's wreck
was not the first speed-related crash there, but would not reveal
specifics.
Meanwhile, investigators are consulting video from security cameras,
talking to witnesses and analyzing physical evidence such as
on-board computer data from the Porsche.
A steady stream of fans has flocked to the crash site to leave
flowers, candles and memorabilia from the action films.
[to top of second column] |
 On Monday night, a private memorial for survivors
and the cast and crew of the "Fast & Furious" movies was held inside
a white tent erected around the crash site. When it was over,
Walker's co-star Vin Diesel emerged to thank fans for paying their
respect to the actor.
"Thank you for coming and showing that angel up in heaven how much
you appreciated him," Diesel said to the crowd, using the bullhorn
of a police cruiser.
Officials have not named either person found in the
car. The bodies were so badly burned by the fire that engulfed the
wreck that dental records will be needed to confirm their
identities.
Walker and Rodas had bonded over their shared love of fast cars.
Rodas, 38, and Walker, 40, co-owned an auto racing team named after
Rodas' shop, Always Evolving. Rodas was a financial adviser as well
as a professional driver who competed in 10 Pirelli World Challenge
GTS races in 2013. He finished second in rookie of the year
standings, circuit spokesman Dave Drimmie said.
Walker starred in all but one of the six "Fast & Furious"
blockbusters. He had been on break from shooting the latest
installment; Universal Pictures has not said what it plans to do
with "Fast & Furious 7," currently slated for a July release.
[Associated
Press; JUSTIN PRITCHARD]
Follow Justin Pritchard
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