Two days out from the fiery car crash that killed Fast and Furious‘ Paul Walker and driver Roger Rodas, there are more questions than answers.
At this point, investigators’ priority is figuring out what caused the accident. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department hasn’t revealed much about their investigation, but media sources report officials’ are trying to determine how fast the car was traveling through the 45-MPH zone. They are reportedly also looking into a tip that Roger, 38, and Paul, 40, were racing against another car at the time of the accident.
TMZ adds professionals from Always Evolving — an auto shop co-founded by Roger and Paul — believe the Porsche GT suffered a mechanical failure that caused Roger to lose his ability to steer. (They note Roger was an experienced race car driver.) The friends also point to the fire that quickly engulfed the car as evidence that there was some kind of fluid leak.
One thing is clear: Once the car crashed and burst into flames, there was no saving Paul and Roger. Speaking with The L.A. Times, friend Jim Torp said a group of 20 people quickly ran to the accident scene after hearing the crash.
“There was nothing they could do,” he said, adding that Roger’s 8-year-old son was one of the first on the scene. He said Paul’s 15-year-old daughter, Meadow Walker, was also there and that watching her break down was “the saddest part.” (We previously reported Meadow posted on Facebook about her father’s death, but reps have since debunked that by saying she doesn’t have social media accounts.)
While investigators work to understand what caused the accident, fans are paying tribute to Paul by setting up a memorial at the crash scene.
Tyrese Gibson, who starred alongside Paul in the Fast and Furious franchise, was one of the many who have visited the crash scene.
“I will keep your energy with me forever #AshesOfAnAngel fast family around the world we live you and we love you Paul is the heartbeat of this franchise and were gonna see to it that his energy and presence lives on forever #myhearthurtssobad”
Many other actors shared their memories of Paul, adding he was one of the nicest men in Hollywood.
Although Paul’s legacy is largely linked to Fast and Furious, friends and family hope he will also be remembered for his charity work — including Reach Out Worldwide, the organization he founded in 2010 to support victims of natural disasters.
