Paul Walker dead at 40: 'Fast and Furious' star killed in fiery car crash
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Universal Pictures
Paul Walker, 40, died in a car accident in California on Saturday afternoon. Here, Walker attends the "Fast & Furious 6" world premiere in London, England, on May 7.
Actor Paul Walker — a self-styled adrenaline junkie best known for his role in “The Fast and the Furious” movies — was killed Saturday in a fiery single-car wreck in Southern California.
The 40-year-old Walker was riding in a Porsche GT about 3:30 p.m. when the driver lost control and slammed into a post or a tree in Santa Clarita, TMZ.com reported.
Dan Watson/Santa Clarita Valley Signal
Firefighters spray water on the wreckage of the Porsche that crashed in Valencia, Calif., on Saturday.
Moments later, the car burst into flames.
It's with a heavy heart that we must confirm Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident...MORE:http://t.co/9hDuJMH99M - #TeamPW
— Paul Walker (@RealPaulWalker) December 1, 2013
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Paul Walker, who visited "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" on May 24, died Saturday in a single car accident in Santa Clarita Saturday.
It was not clear what caused the accident, authorities said.
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Dan Watson/SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SIGNAL
A sheriff's deputy at the scene of a crash in Valencia, Calif., where Paul Walker and another person were killed when a Porsche crashed Saturday.
Walker was in Santa Clarita, about 30 miles north of Los Angeles, for a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide.
“It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident,” read a message posted on his Facebook page. “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.”
Paul Walker via Twitter
This photo of Paul Walker in his 2005 film "Into the Blue" was tweeted from his account on May 2, captioned, "PW's 2005 adventure #IntoTheBlue was set in what scenic tropical location? - #TeamPW #tbt"
One witness said he tried to put the fire out and recognized Walker’s body inside, according to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
Another spectator at the crash site said Walker had been taking a “joyride” with a close friend.
Chris Weeks/WireImage for Silver Spoon
A Porsche GT like the one Paul Walker was riding in California when he died Saturday, according to TMZ.
“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,” said Antonio Holmes, who said he was a friend of Walker’s.
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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.
“We’re all here driving, enjoying each other, and God must’ve needed help.”
The crash occurred on Rye Canyon Loop, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Universal Pictures
Paul Walker in "2 Fast 2 Furious." The franchise was his most well-known work.
Responding deputies found the vehicle “engulfed in flames,” according to a sheriff’s department release.
Hollywood actor PAUL WALKER died earlier today when his Porsche GT exploded http://t.co/Eyuq4bKFNl #RIPpic.twitter.com/7ttyPhIgKV
— Rui Delgado (@Rui) December 1, 2013
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."
Firefighters extinguished the blaze — and then found two victims in the charred wreckage. They were pronounced dead on the scene.
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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.
The agency would not release the victims’ names — or confirm whether Walker was one of them.
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.
Forefront Media Group
Paul Walker in "Vehicle 19."
“Praying this Paul Walker story is not true,” wrote longtime NBA reporter Chris Palmer.
“Might have to watch The Fast & The Furious tonight. Gonna be a tear in my eye. RIP Paul Walker.”
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."
Walker, who was 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.”
Walker leaves behind a daughter, Meadow, 15, who moved to California from Hawaii a few years ago to be closer to her dad. In his last tweet on Twitter, Walker posted a photo of him standing with co-stars Vin Diesel and Tyrese Gibson.
“The boys are back,” read the Friday message hyping the release of “Fast and Furious 7.”
“Will you be ready?”
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