Rodas_Walker Crash Theory

8/13/2019 Rodas_Walker Crash Theory

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Rodas/Walker Crash Theory

2005 Porsche Carrera GT

Santa Clarita, CA

Nov 30, 2013

Disclaimer: Based on crash scene photos, news reports, and eyewitness accounts only as of Dec 2, 2013. Actual events may differ after official investigation.

I am not a forensics expert, nor did I visit the crash site. This is solely made to try to make some sense out of all this and provide some closure to this tragic event.

(It also helps me deal with it and try to understand why it happened.)


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Rodas/Walker CrashNorth on Hercules St Sequence #1

Accelerate during turn to ~45-50 mph

Est. Time: 0:00 sec

Google Maps


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Steering failure, turn-in sends car towards

right side of road, carrying speed

Est. Time: 0:01 sec


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Heading towards right side, driver tries to

correct vehicle direction, but gets no response;

is closing in very quickly with no control of car

Est. Time: 0:02.5 sec


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Driver realizes cannot steer and brakes aggressively,

heading quickly towards at a utility pole

Est. Time: 0:04 sec


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Both driver and passenger realize

they will crash, brace for big impact

Est. Time: 0:05 sec

(Quite possibility this is the final image Roger Rodas and Paul Walker see)


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Skid marks found, car decelerates to ~30-35 mph

~45-50 mph after turn

Steering failure

Cannot correct trajectory

Impact Utility Pole on Passenger side

Rodas/Walker CrashHercules St Angle #2


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Car comes to rest at tree,split in two pieces

Utility pole falls from impact

~45 feet (15 yards) from impact to rest

Airbags deploy, both driver/passenger likely unconscious/disoriented, passenger trapped in seat.

Unlikely car was traveling faster than 30-35 mph upon impact.

Fuel line ruptures, fire engulfs vehicle

Rodas/Walker CrashHercules St Crash Site


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Rodas/Walker CrashImpact Speed

Initial impact and final resting locations are very

close to each other, suggesting lower speed impact

(~30-35 mph)


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Rodas/Walker CrashHercules St Overhead View

Steering fluid would be found around

these areas, if theory is correct

Car initial impact

Car final resting spot

Skid marks found


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Rodas/Walker Crash Photos


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Reported Facts & Accounts referenced (check Google):

1. Roger Rodas (professional racer) supposedly driving2. No street racing was involved

3. Small set of skid marks found just before impact

4. No evidence of massive loss of control found

5. Trajectory of vehicle suggests straight angle towards utility pole/tree (no swerving,

spinning evidence)

6. Passenger side of car severely damaged, front of car ok (offset impact)

7. AE employees mention car malfunction possible (steering pump fluid leak failure)

8. Police say speed was approximately 45 mph at curve

9. Witnesses heard engine rev, followed by loud bang, then smoke

10. Flames engulfed vehicle quickly, too hot and too fast to save passengers (fuel line

ruptures when car splits; fuel tank in front, engine in rear)

11. No modifications of CGT by shop

12. Hercules St is slight uphill with slight right bend and ~600 ft straightaway (accidentoccurred on straightaway after bend)

Possible video taken by eyewitnesses of crash will reveal more

Rodas_Walker Crash Theory

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