New details have emerged on the accident that claimed actor Paul Walker’s life. Speculation continues as to the cause of the deadly crash. Police were investigating tip-offs that the actor, 40, and the Porsche’s driver Roger Rodas were in a drag race with another car before their car hit a lamppost, smashed into a tree and burst into flames.
CCTV Footage obtained by TMZ appears to discount this theory as no other cars can be seen before or after their Porsche smashes into a lamppost.
It is believed that the area where the crash occurred is a popular street racing location and police say that speed was “at least a contributing factor” in the smash, but have yet to determine how fast the car was travelling when it hit the lamppost.
A statement issued by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said they had “received eyewitness statements that the car involved was travelling alone at a high rate of speed.”
“No eyewitness has contacted the (department) to say there was a second vehicle,” the statement added.
A car racing expert who was at the Valencia car show has claimed Walker and pal Rodas took the sports car out because it was stalling.
The Hollywood Reporter said the eye witness, who wants to stay anonymous out of respect to both families, maintains the pair was determined to get to the bottom of the Porsche’s mechanical problems, not go on a joyride.
“As they were backing up the Carrera to put into the garage, it started stalling. I heard someone say, and I think it was Roger (Rodas, who reportedly was behind the wheel), ‘Why is the car stalling? Let’s take it around the block,’” the source said. “Paul said, ‘Let me go with you really quickly.’”
“Roger wasn’t the kind of guy to go max speed on a small street, same thing with Paul. These guys have respect for the car and they wouldn’t do it like that.
“These guys are business owners and Paul was a celebrity. They are responsible people. It was more like, ‘What the hell is wrong with this car?’”
It is also being claimed that the crash may have been caused by mechanical failure, possibly a steering fluid leak.
Sources connected to Always Evolving, the shop co-owned by Walker and Rodas, told TMZ they saw evidence of a fluid burst and subsequent fluid trail before the skid marks at the accident scene.
The source said: “There is a noticeable absence of skid marks until just before the point of impact. If Roger had lost control, the skid marks would show swerving, but instead the marks were in a straight line. This cements the theory the driver didn’t have steering control.
Also suspicious was the fire spreading so quickly in the front of the car. Flames would be expected in the rear where the engine is but fire in the front reinforces the theory of a fluid leak of some sort.”
A memorial to the late star of the Fast and Furious franchise has been set up at the crash site, with family members, friends and thousands of fans lining up to pay homage to Walker on the road where he died. After the family’s private memorial ended, Walker’s co-star Vin Diesel addressed fans at the memorial site. The actor held back tears as he spoke on a police patrol car loudspeaker and told grieving fans: “Thank you for coming down here and showing that angel up in heaven how much you appreciated him.”
The most poignant reaction came from Walker’s Fast and Furious co-star Tyrese Gibson, who visited the site of the accident on Sunday, reported The Daily Mail. Clad in black, Gibson silently approached the site carrying a yellow flower in his hand and was immediately reduced to tears as he got closer to the crash scene.
Later on Sunday, Gibson posted a photograph of a piece of wreckage from the accident in his hand with the caption: “I will keep your energy with me forever #AshesOfAnAngel fast family around the world we live you and we love you.”
Michelle Rodriguez finally broke her silence, posting a message on her social media pages to honor of her tragically departed friend and co-star.
“I’m gonna carry this torch for you brother, with a forced smile on my face and I’m gonna open my heart just cause your telling me to,” the 35-year-old actress wrote.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2013.
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