The Los Angeles Coroner’s office revealed today that Paul Walker died from “combined effects of traumatic and thermal injuries.” Roger Rodas, who was driving the car at the time of the accident, died from “multiple traumatic injuries.” The coroner added the injuries occurred after the vehicle Paul and Roger were riding in crashed “with a fixed object.” The autopsies were completed on Tuesday after dental records allowed the coroner to identify the badly burned bodies.
With autopsies complete, the investigation now centers entirely on the crash’s cause. A source familiar with the investigation told NBC News the previous theory about drag racing was outruled. Still, investigators believe the Porsche GT was going much faster than was permitted.
Speaking with People, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detective Jeff Maag said Roger “was doing well over 45 – [it’s] fair to say at least twice that.” He added more will be known if and when investigators locate the Porsche’s blackbox.
Paul and Roger’s friends still believe there was some mechanical malfunction involved.
“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 was one of the first on the scene, told People. “There’s not a shadow of a doubt in my mind, it wasn’t driver error.”
A rooftop security video obtained by CNN, doesn’t show the car, but does show a tree and light pole falling at the time of the crash. The car apparently burst into extremely hot flames, resulting in a plume of black smoke.
