Paul Walker memorial: Authorities to enforce traffic, parking laws

Traffic and parking laws will be enforced at a memorial event for “Fast and Furious” starPaul Walkerand his friend that thousands of car enthusiasts and fans are expected to attend, officials said.

TheLos Angeles County Sheriff’s Departmentsaid it was aware of several tribute events taking place this weekend, including one planned Sunday at the crash site where the actor and his friend Roger Rodas were killed last weekend, said sheriff’s Capt. Mike Parker.

Thousands of people have RSVP’d for Sunday’s meetup, which is scheduled to take place from noon to 5 p.m., at the makeshift memorial on Hercules Street in Valencia.

PHOTOS: Paul Walker: 1973-2013

The area is not designed to hold such large crowds, and no formal arrangements have been made with the department, Parker said. Earlier this week, Walker’s family obtained a permit for a gathering of family and friends at the site.

The Facebook event, created by SoCal Car Meets, said the memorial is meant for fans and was not organized by them. More than 5,000 people from as far away as Washington have said they will attend, many in caravans.

A car driven by Walker in the fourth installment of the “Fast and Furious” movie series will be brought to the memorial as well, according to the event.

“Drive slow, be cautious, respect what this is,” the page says, adding that attendees should peacefully walk to light candles and place flowers at the memorial.

The Santa Clarita Valley sheriff’s station said anyone visiting the memorial should follow local and state laws, including parking regulations along the road and at local businesses. Many visitors have parked along a curve in the road, which poses a safety threat to motorists who may not be able to see cars or pedestrians while approaching the area, authorities said.

“Sheriff’s deputies understand many people are choosing to visit the site to assist in the grieving process. Yet it is important to take legal safety measures to help avoid injury to people in the area,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement.

Walker died from a combination of traumatic injuries and burns when the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT he was riding in crashed and erupted in flames, according to preliminary autopsy results released Wednesday by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

Rodas, 38, the car’s driver, died from traumatic injuries, coroner’s officials said.

Coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter said the men died “within seconds” of the crash. More details will be available when the final autopsy is released, Winter added.

The deaths have been ruled an accident, with the injuries occurring as the result of “auto versus fixed object.” Although witnesses confirmed that Rodas and Walker were in the car, the men were positively identified through dental records.

They were killed about 3:30 p.m. Saturday when the Porsche crashed into a pole and several trees.

Toxicology results will not be available for six to eight weeks.

Detectives have not determined what caused the crash, but preliminary investigations have indicated that speed was a factor.

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