header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 29
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys


By Allison Pari and Perry Smith

 

PaulWalkerMug

Paul Walker

[KHTS] – Actor Paul Walker and racecar driver Roger Rodas have been confirmed as the two people involved in the fatal, solo-car crash Saturday afternoon in Valencia.

Rodas was also confirmed as the driver of the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT that collided with a light standard and tree and burst into flames on Hercules Street at Kelly Johnson Parkway.

Rodas’ cause of death was described as “multiple traumatic injuries,” and Walker died of the “combined effects of traumatic and thermal injuries,” according to a press release from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office.

Both deaths have been ruled by Coroner Mark Fajardo to be accidents.

Toxicology is still pending on both cases. The estimated completion time frame for toxicology will be 6-8 weeks. Once the toxicology is complete, copies of the report will be available.

Roger Rodas

Roger Rodas

Speed is suspected as a factor in the crash, according to Sheriff’s Station Detective Jeff Maag.

Initially, Lt. Larry Dietz of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station said the two bodies of the crash victims were “unidentifiable,” and that dental or skeletal records would likely be used for the official confirmation.

Walker had been in Santa Clarita to help out with a charity effort put on by Reach Out WorldWide.

“(Paul Walker) was the founder, he was a responder, he was a main part of it, 100 percent,” said JD Dorfman, operations manager for ROWW. “He’s not someone who just lent his name to the organization.”

Walker and Rodas’ Santa Clarita-based company Always Evolving, were doing a toy drive to benefit ROWW.

 

Memorial Planned for Sunday at Crash Site

A Paul Walker memorial scheduled for Sunday at the site of Walker’s fatal Santa Clarita crash is expected to draw thousands, based on Facebook postings.

Car enthusiasts from across the state, as well as fans of the “Fast and the Furious” movie franchise, posted messages on a group called “Paul Walker / Roger Rodas Memorial Meet (SoCal).”

paulwalker120113_jessicaboyer2The page was created by SoCal Car Meets, which is not claiming to be the creators of the memorial, just the conveyors, according to the Facebook page.

“This memorial meet belongs to all the fansm” the page reads. “It is NOT organized by us… we are just the medium that transfers the information.”

The memorial is expected to take place Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., at the site of Walker and Rodas’ fatal crash Saturday. The address listed on the Facebook page for the crash site is 25690 Hercules St., in Valencia.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station released statement asking those paying their respects to Walker and Rodas to obey posted traffic and parking signage.

“As the investigation continues into this tragic incident, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Deputies ask that all persons wishing to visit the site of the tragedy follow all local and state laws, including traffic laws and posted no parking signs,” the statement read. “Many people have come to the site, including news media, throughout the day and night since the collision occurred.”

Many have been parking illegally, the statement continues, and deputies warn that those who ignore signs do so at their own risk, because property managers could request to have vehicles towed if they violate “no parking” signs.

A private memorial took place Tuesday night, with Universal Studios officials obtaining permits and hiring deputies to close off the streets near the crash site.

Since Saturday’s crash, hundreds, including Walker’s movie star friends such as Vin Diesel have visited the site, paying their respects with flowers, candles and memorabilia from Walker’s most famous works, the “Fast and the Furious” movie franchise.

The movies revolve around the culture of street racing.

 

 

Mark A. Fajardo

Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner

1104 North Mission Road

Los Angeles, CA  90033

 

Contact

 

Chief Craig Harvey

Assistant Chief Ed Winter

Media/PIO

(323) 343-0783/0788

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

RE: Coroner Case Number 2013-08210 – RODAS, Roger &

       Coroner Case Number 2013-08211 – WALKER, Paul

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner conducted an autopsy on the bodies of Roger Rodas, age 38 and Paul William Walker IV, age 40, on December 3rd, 2013.

 

The findings of the autopsy have established the causes of death to be as follows:

 

Mr. Rodas (Driver) – Multiple Traumatic Injuries

 

Mr. Walker (Passenger) – Combined Effects of Traumatic and Thermal Injuries

 

How Injury Occurred: Auto versus Fixed Object

 

Both deaths have been ruled by the Coroner to be Accidents.

 

Toxicology is still pending on both cases. The estimated completion time frame for toxicology will be 6-8 weeks. Once the toxicology is complete, copies of the report will be available.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
SCVNews.com