Actor Paul Walker, known for his role as an undercover detective in "The Fast and Furious" franchise, died when the car that he was in crashed Saturday into a light pole and tree and burst into flames. When police and fire department arrived, the two people inside the crushed car were pronounced dead at the scene.
Walker, 40, were attending a charity event for the Filippino victims of Typhoon Haiyan for his organization Reach Out Worldwide. He was riding as the passenger in his friend's red Porsche when the accident happened.
The wreck took place about 3:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. ET), about 300 yards from the office park where the event was held.
Up and down the road near the crash site were burned rubber and doughnut marks as though someone smoked their tires in figure 8 patterns, the CNN reports.
"I don't know if the marks in the road are related to the crash," said Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Brian Allen, according to CNN.
"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," the statement read. "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 beliefs by this news."
Representatives with Universal Pictures confirmed Walker's identity and released a statement:
"All of us at Universal are heartbroken. Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the 'Fast and Furious' films, and to countless fans. We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul's family."
At the time of this death, the actor, who also starred in "Pleasantville" and "Varsity Blues and "Into the Blues," was working on the seventh film of the "Fast and Furious" franchise, according to Los Angeles Times.
Walker grew up in a Mormon household in Glendale, Calif. He later went to a Christian high school. When he was two years old, his mother started taking his to auditions. He started his modeling career since then.
Bill Townsend, a friend of walker who attended the fundraiser on Saturday, told AP Radio, "He was very happy. He was smiling at everybody, just tickled that all these people came out to support this charity. He was doing what he loved. He was surrounded by friends, surrounded by cars."
However, he did tell WENN his struggles when he found out the pregnancy. "It was tough. I went to Christian high school and I was told mom and dad were supposed to be together. I was so conflicted. I was one of those ones who believed when you get married it's forever. But I was thinking down the road."
Walker leaves behind his 16-year-old daughter Meadow Rebecca, whom he fathered with his ex-girlfriend Rebecca McBrain.
Townsend further noted on Facebook that Walker has "dedicated so much of his life to helping disadvantaged kids and people who are in need, with his charity recently assisting those in the tornadoes in the Midwest and the trauma in the Philippines."
Jessica Alba, who co-starred with Walker in "Into the Blues," also left a message on condolence to Walker's family.
#RIPPaulWalker -he was a lovely person -so sweet and grounded. My heart goes out to his family. pic.twitter.com/w8Ep7AcKOZ
— Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba) December 1, 2013
