Your Voice Your Vote 2024

Live results
Last Updated: April 23, 10:42:16PM ET

Paul Walker Died Within Seconds of Crash, Coroner Rules

Authorities say the actor's car was traveling at least 90 mph.

ByABC News
December 4, 2013, 1:39 PM

Dec. 4, 2013 , — -- Paul Walker died from the "combined effects of traumatic and thermal injuries" in Saturday's car accident in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office reported today.

Walker, 40, was the passenger in a 2005 Porsche driven by financial adviser Roger Rodas, 38, that crashed and then erupted in flames after striking a light pole and tree.

The coroner's office told ABC News that two different doctors did autopsies on the two men. They found that Rodas died on impact, with Walker dying "maybe" a few seconds after from the combined effects of the impact and the fire.

"Both deaths have been ruled by the coroner to be accidents," the report adds.

The report confirms that the two men who died in the vehicle were in fact Walker and Rodas, after reports earlier in the week that dental records were needed to identify the deceased.

Related: Tyrese Gibson Heartbroken Over Paul Walker's Death

Toxicology reports are expected in six to eight weeks.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's investigators are still trying to determine the cause of Saturday's crash, which claimed the life of the "Fast & Furious" star and his friend. They have said speed was a factor.

Sheriff's detective Jeff Maag told People magazine the driver "was doing well over 45 [mph] – [it's] fair to say at least twice that."

Read: Paul Walker's Father Recalls Last Talk With His Son

That means Maag believes Rodas was going at least 90 mph on a street where the limit was just 45.

He added it will take days or weeks to complete the investigation and conclude how fast the car was going and whether mechanical problems caused the crash.