Speed was the only reason that caused the Porsche Carrera GT crash that claimed the lives of “Fast & Furious” star Paul Walker and his friend Roger Rodas in December 2013, an investigation from the Los Angeles County Sheriff has revealed.

“Investigators determined the cause of the fatal solo-vehicle collision was unsafe speed for the roadway conditions,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Commander Mike Parker said. The report mentioned that the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT was going “between 80 and 93 mph [129-150km/h] at the time the car impacted a power pole and several trees,” which is roughly double the posted speed limit of 45 mph [72km/h] on the Santa Clarita, California, office park road.

The sheriff’s report comes as no surprise after the coroner’s report previously estimated the car was doing 100 mph (161 km/h). However, the investigation brings new elements, including the fact that Walker and Rodas had no drugs or alcohol in their blood and were wearing seat belts. Investigators also said the airbags deployed, as they should have, when the car hit a light pole and several trees.

Technical defects have been ruled out as well, with investigators finding “no pre-existing conditions that would have caused this collision.” However, the car was fitted with an aftermarket exhaust system that helped it go faster, as well as tires that were more than nine years old – a big no for any vehicle, all the more so for a high-performance supercar. The investigation also ruled out that the Carrera GT was racing another car.

Porsche was quick to issue a statement in which it acknowledged the report and stressed that the crash was caused by dangerous driving at speeds much too high for the road in question:

“We appreciate the meticulous analysis by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol,” Porsche statement reads. “It is a sad day for us whenever anyone is injured in one of our cars, and this was a particularly tragic event. At the same time, the results of the investigation show that, according to all the available evidence, this crash was caused by dangerous driving at speeds much too high for the road in question. There is also evidence that this particular vehicle had been altered from its original design state and had not been maintained properly.  However, there is no evidence of any mechanical malfunction. We stand by our Carrera GT and by the investigation and conclusions of the responsible authorities.”

After the 911 GT3 recall, a technical defect on the Carrera GT would have been the last thing Porsche needed…

By Dan Mihalascu

Story References: CNN , Video via TMZ
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