Smiling Paul Walker photographed in friend's Porsche just moments before they were killed in fiery crash
The 40-year-old actor was photographed leaving a charity fundraiser in Santa Clarita, California on November 30 with the window of the bright red Porsche Carerra GT rolled down.
But just moments after leaving for the short ride with his friend and financial adviser, Roger Rodas, the vehicle crashed into a pole and tree before coming to a stop.
Less than a minute later, the vehicle burst into flames - killing the beloved actor.
The images are believed to be the final time Walker was pictured before his death. Rodas, who was driving, also died in the crash.
They emerged the day after Walker's remains were removed from the L.A. County Coroner's Office and taken to a local mortuary.
TMZ reported that his body is now in the hands of his family, who will decide when and where to lay him to rest.
Authorities say speed had been a factor in the crash and toxicology test results are still pending. They could take as long as six weeks.
An autopsy concluded that Walker was killed by injuries from both the impact and the subsequent fire, and dispatch recordings revealed that firefighters noted he was 'DOA' when they got there.
Rodas, 38, died from ‘multiple traumatic injuries’ before the car exploded in flames, according to the autopsy released by the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
The pair had bonded over a passion for fast cars.
They co-owned an auto racing team named after Rodas' custom car shop, Always Evolving, and Rodas drove professionally for the team on the Pirelli World Challenge circuit this year.
Ahead of the crash, Walker was in Santa Clarita for a fundraiser his charity, Reach Out Worldwide, organized for victims of the recent Philippines typhoon.
The event took place at Rodas' shop, and two stepped away for what was supposed to be a short drive in Rodas' car.
The limited-edition Porsche was previously owned by IndyCar driver Graham Rahal, who has said it could be difficult to drive.
Walker, the star of five of the six 'Fast & Furious' movies, was the face of the franchise and he was making the seventh film in the series when he died.
Universal Pictures has shut down production while it contemplates how it might go forward without him.
On Sunday, fans gathered near to the crash site for a massive memorial, which had been planned through social media, for the actor.
Thousands came to pay their respects, placing flowers, candles and other tributes at the scene.
Many arrived in cars built for speed, and the sounds of engines revving echoed close to where Walker and his friend died in the crash.
The memorial also coincided with news that the actor had planned to give up his life as a Hollywood actor to spend more time with his 15-year-old daughter, Meadow.
Meadow had recently moved from her home in Hawaii to live with Walker in Santa Barbara.
In an interview earlier this year, Walker described his daughter as 'the best partner I've ever had'.
'I've never had anything like this in my life,' he said. 'I've been so transient; I've been on my own since I was 16. There's a part of me who feels like I'm making up for lost time.'
According to two of Walker's closest friends, Walker believed he had accomplished all that he wanted from Hollywood and now believed he needed to devote himself to his daughter.
'He was a family man and I know it hurt him to be spending so much time away from Meadow on location; he loved being with his daughter, she was his world,' Ronn Shikari told The Mail Online.
'That’s why he wanted to retire from acting and talked to his family about it, as he’d achieved everything he wanted to achieve.
‘He earned millions from the last Fast and Furious. The big reason he wanted to quit acting was so that he could spend more time with Meadow. It’s a shame that it could never happen.’
Source : WENN , DailyMail
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