On November 30, 2013, at about 3:30 p.m. PST, Paul Walker, 40, and Roger Rodas, 38, left an event for Walker’s charity Reach Out Worldwide for victims of Typhoon Haiyan, with Rodas driving his 2005 Porsche Carrera GT. Traveling between 80 mph (130 km/h) and 93 mph (150 km/h) in a 45 mph (72 km/h) speed zone on Hercules Street in Valencia, a neighborhood of Santa Clarita, California, the car crashed into a concrete lamp post and two trees, catching fire. Rodas died of multiple trauma while Walker died from the combined effects of trauma and burns. Both of their bodies were burned beyond recognition.

The curve where Paul ‎Walker and Rodas died is a popular spot for drifting cars. No alcohol or other drugs were found in either man’s system, and neither mechanical failure nor road conditions appeared to play a role. Police found no evidence of drag racing. The investigation concluded that the car’s speed and age of the tires were the primary reasons for the crash.

Grave of Paul Walker at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills

With Furious 7 in the middle of filming at the time of Walker’s death, Universal announced an indeterminate hiatus on the production, citing a desire to speak with his family before determining what to do with the film.

Numerous friends and movie stars posted tributes to Paul Walker on social media. His body was cremated and his ashes were buried in a non-denominational ceremony at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. His life was later chronicled in the documentary I Am Paul Walker, which was released on August 11, 2018.

Lawsuits

In December 2014, Walker’s father filed a wrongful death claim against Rodas’s estate, seeking the return of or “a proportionate share” of revenue generated by a group of automobiles that were jointly owned by both Walker and Rodas.

In September 2015, Walker’s daughter filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Porsche, claiming that the Porsche Carrera GT had numerous design defects including a history of instability, and that its seat belt placement can cause harm upon impact.

However, Porsche denied any wrongdoing and blamed Walker, stating: “The perils, risk, and danger were open and obvious and known to him, and he chose to conduct himself in a manner so as to expose himself to such perils, dangers, and risks, thus assuming all the risks involved in using the vehicle.”

Walker’s father and daughter both reached separate out-of-court settlements with Porsche

In April 2016, U.S. District Court Judge Philip S. Gutierrez ruled in favor of Porsche in a separate lawsuit filed by Rodas’s widow Kristine.