|
| FILE - In this April 29, 2011 file photo, actor Paul Walker poses during the photo call of the movie "Fast and Furious 5," in Rome. Crash investigators have determined that the Porsche was traveling approximately 90 mph when it lost control on a city street and smashed into a light pole, killing the actor and his friend Roger Rodas. A person who has reviewed the investigators’ report told The Associated Press that it concluded unsafe driving, not mechanical problems, caused the crash. The person requested anonymity because the report has not been officially released yet. |
LOS ANGELES
(AP) -- Crash investigators have determined that the Porsche carrying
"Fast & Furious" star Paul Walker was traveling up to 94 mph when it
went out of control on a California street and smashed into a light
pole, killing the actor and his friend.
According
to a crash reconstruction report released Tuesday, it was unsafe speed -
not mechanical problems - that caused the crash.
Based
on post-crash calculations, investigators believe Roger Rodas was
driving his 2005 Porsche Carrera GT between 81 mph and 94 mph.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol did the investigation, with the help of Porsche.
Rodas
and Walker had taken what was supposed to be a quick ride Nov. 30 from a
fundraiser benefiting a charity that gives first-response aid to
victims of natural disasters.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
The
Porsche carrying "Fast & Furious" star Paul Walker was traveling up
to 94 mph when it went out of control on a suburban street and crashed,
killing the actor and his friend, according to an investigation by law
enforcement agencies into the November accident.
The
sports car driven by Roger Rodas slammed into a light pole that had a
45 mph speed limit sign, and burst into flames. Walker and Rodas died at
the scene.
Investigators with the Los Angeles
County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol concluded
that unsafe speed, not mechanical problems, caused the Nov. 30 crash,
the sheriff's department said Tuesday.
Based on post-crash calculations, investigators believe Rodas was driving his 2005 Porsche Carrera GT between 81 mph and 94 mph.
"The
vehicle had no mechanical failure, and the damage that occurred to the
vehicle was from the collision," accident reconstruction specialists
with the Highway Patrol wrote, according to a person who reviewed the
final report and who spoke on condition of anonymity because it had not
been officially released yet.
The CHP declined to comment.
The
Associated Press reported in December that investigators had found no
evidence that the car had mechanical problems and ruled out debris or
other roadway conditions.
Subsequently,
Porsche sent engineers to California to review the rare car's wreckage.
Though it was badly mangled and burned, the engineers were able to do a
thorough analysis. They found no problems with the car's electrical
systems, brakes, throttle, fuel system, steering, suspension or other
systems.
Porsche declined comment.
The
conclusion about the speed was based on a "yaw" mark that one of the
car's tires left on the road in an area of industrial office parks in
Santa Clarita, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
Witnesses told a sheriff's deputy that they thought the car could have
been traveling in excess of 100 mph.
Post-crash
investigators noted several issues with the condition of the car, which
had several prior owners, including IndyCar driver Graham Rahal:
- Its original exhaust system had been modified in a way that could allow it to go faster.
- Its tires were about nine years old; the owner's manual suggests changing the tires after four years.
- Its left rear brake rotor was worn below manufacturer specifications, but that did not contribute to the crash.
Rodas,
38, and Walker, 40, had taken what was supposed to be a quick ride on a
clear afternoon from a fundraiser benefiting Reach Out Worldwide, a
Walker charity that gives first-response aid to victims of natural
disasters. The crash occurred near the fundraiser, and horrified friends
of the men raced to the scene.
Autopsies
showed that neither man had used alcohol or drugs. Investigators found
evidence suggesting both wore seatbelts and "air bags deployed for both
the driver and passenger," the sheriff's department said.
While
Rodas was Walker's financial adviser, the two had bonded over their
shared love of fast cars. They co-owned an auto racing team named after
Rodas' shop, Always Evolving, and Rodas drove professionally for the
team on the Pirelli World Challenge circuit in 2013.
Walker starred in all but one of the six "Fast & Furious" blockbusters, which glorify muscular cars and risky driving.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.