Coroner Says Paul Walker Died Within Seconds of Crash; Universal Shuts Down “Fast & Furious 7”
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Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Paul Walker died from the “combined effects of traumatic and thermal injuries” in Saturday’s car accident in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office reported Wednesday.
Walker, 40, was the passenger in a 2005 Porsche driven by financial adviser Roger Rodas, 38, that crashed and then erupted in flames after striking a light pole and tree.
The coroner’s office told ABC News that two different doctors did autopsies on the two men. They found that Rodas died on impact, with Walker dying “maybe” a few seconds after from the combined effects of the impact and the fire.
“Both deaths have been ruled by the coroner to be accidents,” the report adds.
The report confirms that the two men who died in the vehicle were in fact Walker and Rodas, after reports earlier in the week that dental records were needed to identify the deceased.
Toxicology reports are expected in six to eight weeks.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s investigators are still trying to determine the cause of Saturday’s crash, which claimed the life of the Fast & Furious star and his friend. They have said speed was a factor.
Sheriff’s detective Jeff Maag told People magazine the driver “was doing well over 45 [mph] — [it’s] fair to say at least twice that,” meaning Maag believes Rodas was going at least 90 mph on a street where the limit was just 45. He added it will take days or weeks to complete the investigation and conclude how fast the car was going and whether mechanical problems caused the crash.
Meanwhile, Universal Pictures has postponed production of the next sequel in the blockbuster franchise, Fast & Furious 7, indefinitely.
In a statement to ABC News Radio, the studio said Wednesday, “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. 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.”
Fast & Furious 7, in which Walker was slated to reprise his role as Brian O’Conner, was due in theaters July 11, 2014. There’s no word yet on if the studio will also push back the film’s release date.
Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio