The Los Angeles Coroner's officer reported today on the official cause of actor Paul Walker's death. The "Fast & Furious" star was a passenger in a 2005 Porsche GT, driven by his financial adviser, Roger Rodas, 38, when the car crashed into a light pole and tree before bursting into flames, ABC News reports.
Walker, 40, was on the way to a charity event in support of Typhoon Haiyan victims on Sunday, Dec. 1 when he died within "maybe" several seconds of the crash from "combined effects of traumatic and thermal injuries."
"Both deaths have been ruled by the coroner to be accidents," says the autopsy report, while toxicology reports are expected to be ready within six to eight weeks. Speed was reportedly a factor in the crash, as Los Angeles County Sheriff's detective Jeff Maag told People magazine, explaining that the driver "was doing well over 45 - [it's] fair to say at least twice that," meaning that Rodas was going at least 90 mph in a 45 mph zone. Walker was discovered still wearing his seat belt, and L.A. County Sheriff's Sgt. Richard Pena added that rumors of Rodas racing another car before crashing have been dispelled, as "that lead has been exhausted."
"For that car to disintegrate the way it did, speed, of course [was a factor], but something went wrong and it put them at an angle to the curb," Antonio Holmes, who knew both victims, said to People. "There's not a shadow of a doubt in my mind, it wasn't driver error."
Maag added that the investigation will take days or weeks to be completed, as it is still undetermined whether or not mechanical problems contributed to the crash.
Walker's sudden death has prompted shutdown of "Fast & Furious 7" production.
"Right now, all of us at Universal are dedicated to providing support to Paul's immediate family and our extended 'Fast & Furious'family of cast, crew and filmmakers," a rep for the studio said in a statement.
"At this time we feel it is our responsibility to shut down production on Fast & Furious 7 for a period of time so we can assess all options available to move forward with the franchise. We are committed to keeping Fast & Furious fans informed, and we will provide further information to them when we have it. Until then, we know they join us in mourning the passing of our dear friend Paul Walker."
