Rodas' 8-year-old son reportedly 'jumped the fence' in a desperate bid to free his trapped dad, while Walker's best friend Newt had to be detained to prevent him from approaching the burning car.
- Dec 2, 2013
AceShowbiz - More details of the fiery car accident that killed Paul Walker and his best friend, former pro racer Roger Rodas, were revealed. Eyewitness Jim Torp said that Rodas' 8-year-old son was rushing to the crash site in an attempt to free his father.
"I ran over afterwards, I was trying to find Roger's son," Torp said. "I found out his son had jumped the fence and gone over, he was trying to get his dad out."
Walker's best friend, Newt, also "did everything he could" to rescue both men from the fireball wreck. "That was his best friend," Torp said. "He didn't care, he wanted to get his friend out of the car. The sheriff detained him and put him in the car so he wouldn't get hurt."
The accident happened on November 30 as Walker, 40, held a fundraiser in Santa Clarita for his Reach Out Worldwide foundation to benefit Typhoon Haiyan victims. The actor and his friend took a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT for a joyride as the charity event was winding down.
Rodas was behind the wheel. Soon after the sports car left, a loud boom was heard. The vehicle reportedly lost control, slamming into a light pole and a tree before it burst into flames.
Walker's daughter Meadow was also at the charity event. "They kept his daughter off to the side, so she wouldn't know what was going on until they really know what had happened," Torp testified. He said the 15-year-old "was in pieces."
"The saddest part for me, is when Rogers' wife came there not knowing what had happened and that little boy told his mom and was crying," Torp said. He added, "A lot of fans that were down at the fundraiser were crying."
Speed could be a factor in the accident, but investigation to determine the cause is still ongoing. The bodies were found badly burned. Autopsies for the "Fast and Furious" star and his driving buddy are delayed pending dental records to positively identify the victims.
Walker is survived by his teen daughter, while Rodas leaves behind his wife and two children.
