Paul Walker, best known for his role in the The Fast and the Furious movies, is dead at 40.
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His publicist confirmed his death on social media.
The actor's representatives released a statement on his official Facebook Page:
"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. 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 belief by this news. Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time. We will do our best to keep you apprised on where to send condolences."
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported that both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Walker played Brian O'Conner in the popular Fast & Furious franchise. The seventh installment was currently in the process of filming at the time of the crash, according to IMDB.
The actor reportedly died after a single-car accident and explosion in Santa Clarita, California, the website TMZ reported.
"According to multiple sources connected to Paul ... the actor was in a Porsche when the driver somehow lost control and slammed into a post or a tree ... and then the car burst into flames," TMZ first reported.
Walker in a scene from Fast & Furious 5 with co-stars Mia (Jordana Brewster) and Vin Diesel (Dominic Toretto).
It is unclear who was behind the wheel of the car when the accident happened.
Sources say the star was in town for a Philippines typhoon charity effort. He was reportedly taking friends for a ride in his Porsche GT when the accident happened, during one of the test spins.
Law enforcement is apparently still on the scene, and the L.A. County Coroner's Office is also on the way.
Walker had one child - daughter Meadow Rain, 15, with ex-girlfriend Rebecca McBrain.
Agencies