Autopsies Could Be Conducted Monday In Death Of Paul Walker, Friend
VALENCIA (CBSLA.com) — Autopsies were tentatively scheduled Monday for actor Paul Walker and his friend, Roger Rodas, who both died in a fiery car crash over the weekend in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Authorities hope the autopsies will positively identify and determine the exact cause of death for the "Fast and the Furious" star and his race car enthusiast friend.
Walker, 40, was a passenger in a red 2005 Porsche Carrera GT that crashed into a tree and then a light pole before bursting into flames around 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the 28300 block of Rye Canyon Loop in Valencia.
"My son was one of the first guys who came up with their fire extinguisher to try and put the fire out. He saw Paul and Roger both in the car before the car blew up," Rodas' friend, Jim Torp, said.
When deputies and fire personnel arrived at the scene, they found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames with two victims inside.
Both Walker and Rodas, 38, were declared dead at the scene.
It was unclear if they died from blunt force trauma as a result of the crash or in the fire.
Rodas' young son, who was also one of the first people at the crash site, watched as emergency responders tried to save his father, said Torp.
"When his wife and daughter pulled up, not knowing what had happened, and when they came into the officer, the little boy was yelling and screaming to his mom that daddy died. All you heard was screaming and crying," Torp said.
Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash, however, other causes are also being investigated, officials said.
Walker is survived by his 15-year-old daughter, Meadow.
Rodas is survived by his wife and two children.
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