Paul Walker died in a tragic car accident Saturday, Nov. 30 in Southern California at the age of 40.

Walker, who starred in five of the successful The Fast and the Furious franchise films, was in Valencia, Calif., to participate in a charity car show to benefit the victims of the Philippines typhoon through his charity, Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW). Walker started the charity in 2010 after participating in a response team effort to bring aid to Haiti following the earthquake.

Paul Walker Dies In Car Crash

TMZ first reported the news, reporting that Walker was in a Porsche driving to the event when the driver lost control of the car and crashed into a tree, causing the car to combust. When first responders arrived, the car was reportedly engulfed in flames and both passengers in the vehicle were pronounced dead on arrival. Though the Los Angeles County Fire Department has not yet publicly identified the victims, Walker’s death has been confirmed with a post 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. – #TeamPW”

'Fast & Furious' Filming Halted

Walker was currently filming the seventh installment in Fast and Furious series with Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson. Walker posted a photo from the set of the film with Diesel and Tyrese Gibson to Twitter on Friday.

Universal Studios, the studio behind Fast and Furious, released a statement Saturday night, though it did not confirm or deny whether or not Fast and Furious 7 would remain in production.

“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. We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul’s family.”

Ludacris, who co-stared with Walker in three Fast & Furious films, posted a photo to Instagram of the cast in respect to Walker. In his caption, Ludacris wrote that he and Walker were “like brothers.”

In addition to Fast & Furious 7, Walker had just completed work on Brick Mansions and his indie drama Hours is due in theaters Dec. 13.

Walker is survived by his daughter, Meadow Rain Walker, 15. Walker recently spoke about his relationship with his teenage daughter, saying that, though Meadow spent most of her life being raised by her mother, an ex, the father-daughter duo share a nice bond.

“I’m grateful I had her at 25 and not 20 because, at 40 and 15, we’re matching up sweet! She’s been with her mom her whole life and she wants a relationship with her pops. It’s working out really well right now,” Walker reportedly said.

Hollywood Reacts To Walker's Death On Twitter

Many Hollywood stars have taken to Twitter to express their sadness at Walker’s sudden death, including past co-stars from one of Walker’s first Hollywood successes, 1999’s infamous She’s All That, Matthew Lillard and Gabrielle Union.

James Van Der Beek, who stared with Walker in Varsity Blues (1999), sent his thoughts and prayers to Walker's family, adding, "I just remember him as being so effortlessly golden."

Alyssa Milano also tweeted her sadness at the news – Walker appeared in one episode of Milano’s sitcom Who’s the Boss? in 1991.

Walker’s The Death and Life of Bobby Z (2007) co-star, Olivia Wilde, tweeted her condolences to his family, writing that Walker was “a genuinely good, sweet, kind, laid back, loving person”:

#RIPPaulWalker is currently trending on Twitter, as is ‘Fast & Furious.’

This is a developing story – more news will be reported as information is released.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong

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