Roger Rodas Perishes Alongside Paul Walker After Fundraiser
Roger Rodas died alongside his friend Paul Walker on Saturday as the two men returned from a fundraiser to help the victims of typhoon Haiyan.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department insisted that speed was a factor in the one-car crash in the community of Valencia. Emergency responders arrived on the scene to find a red Porsche engulfed in flames when they arrived Saturday afternoon.
Rodas was a friend of Walker's who owned a sport car dealership. Walker's publicist revealed that the actor was the passenger, though the sheriff's department has yet to confirm that.
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The Porsche crashed into a light pole and tree and then burst into flames. The light pole that was struck had a posted speed limit sign of 45 mph, according to TMZ.
The Santa Clarita Valley Signal in California reported that Walker died in Santa Clarita's affluent Valencia neighborhood while traveling in a red Porsche sports car that crashed then caught fire about 3:30 p.m. on Hercules Street near Constellation Road in the Rye Canyon Business Park.
There has been an outpouring of support from fans all over the globe after news of his passing was posted to his social media accounts.
"It's with a heavy heart that we must confirm Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident...MORE," read a tweet posted through his verified Twitter account at 9:14 p.m. Saturday.
It also directed the star's nearly 900,000 Twitter followers to a fuller comment on his Facebook account issued to nearly six million fans.
"It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide," noted the post.
"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. Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time. We will do our best to keep you apprised on where to send condolences," it explained further.
