American actor Paul Walker, the star of the Fast and Furious movies, has died in a single-vehicle accident in southern California. A friend was reportedly driving when the car the two were in swerved, hit something at the side of the road, and burst into flames.
Walker’s death was reported by various media outlets and confirmed by staff in a statement on his 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,” the statement read. “He was a passenger in a friend’s car, in which both lost their lives.”
“Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time,” they wrote.
Walker, 40, began acting as a child. He starred in five of the six Fast and Furious movies, a series about illegal street racing and heists.
His Fast and Furious costar Vin Diesel wrote, “Brother I will miss you very much. I am absolutely speechless. Heaven has gained a new angel. Rest in Peace.”
A statement from Universal said, “All of us at Universal are heartbroken. Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the Fast and Furious films, and to countless fans."