Less than 24 hours after Paul Walker, 40, lost his life in a violent car accident in Santa Clarita, Calif., the man who was driving the vehicle has been revealed. His name was Roger Rodas, a former race car driver and a business partner of Paul.
An eyewitness confirmed that Roger was the other person in vehicle with Paul, according to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal. “When we saw Paul and Roger leave, Paul was the passenger in the vehicle,” the witness said. “They were both experienced drivers.”
[hl_youtube src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM6sUuVhcN8″ link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM6sUuVhcN8″ text=”Paul Walker Car Crash Video Surfaces “]
Jeff Westphal, a fellow race car driver who was close to Paul and Roger, also confirmed that Roger was the other passenger in an emotional Facebook message:
It is regrettable to inform everyone that the world has been robbed of two of the most generous, profound and bright individuals that I have had the pleasure to work with and call friends. Paul walker and Roger Rodas will be severely missed, and although I am hurting from the loss of my two friends, my heart goes out to the families of the departed. Please wish them well and know that they are still watching over us all!
Roger, 38, was the CEO of Always Evolving Performance Motors, a professional automotive body shop. Paul was reportedly in business with Roger and Always Evolving. The company’s Facebook page is filled with pictures of Paul and Roger at racing events together.
“This was just a tragic accident that happened on a joyride,” Jim Torp, another eyewitness, told the Valley Signal.
What a horrible situation. The celebrity community has already shown an outpouring of support, and Paul will obviously be terribly missed. The same goes for Roger.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Paul and Roger’s friends and family during this difficult time.
— Andrew Gruttadaro
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