NOT ‘FAST’ FORGOTTEN
Thousands of drivers rally for Walker
AN IMPROMPTU memorial rally for Paul Walker on Sunday produced a slow and furious traffic jam as thousands of fans in souped-up cars paid tribute to the actor.
Streets in the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Clarita were turned into parking lots as fans of the “Fast & Furious” star flocked to a makeshift shrine near where he lost his life Nov. 30 in a fiery crash.
Up to 20,000 people were expected to show up to the rally, as word of the event spread quickly on Facebook and Twitter.
“We’re huge Paul Walker fans and car enthusiasts. So we’re all just trying to go there and pay our respects,” said fan Chris Ho, of the Los Angeles area.
Ho was bogged down in traffic about a mile from the spot on Hercules St. where Walker was killed. Fans piled flower bouquets and left condolence notes at the spot.
Fans were undeterred by bumper-to-bumper traffic that stretched several miles from Interstate 5 to Hercules St.
Many of the mourners drove to the scene in modified Porsches, Corvettes and even Toyota Cam- rys. A sign in the rear window of one white Honda Accord read, “Race in Paradise Paul Walker.”
“I think he represents a lot of us,” fan Andrew Kellogg said of Walker, as he slowly made his way to the memorial.
“He had the same mantra we all live by: We enjoy the kind of lifestyle we have with the cars and the kind of passion we all have for them,” Kellogg said.
Sheriff’s deputies were posted at nearly every intersection leading to the memorial, directing traffic and enforcing traffic laws.
Jeff Baynes, 22, parked d his souped-up Ford Mus--tang miles away and d walked to the memorial.
“I grew up watching g him. He was my superhe--ro,” Baynes said of Walker. “I’m very, very saddened.”
Walker, 40, starred in five of the six “Fast & Furious” movies and had been filming the seventh when he was killed.
He was a passenger in a highperformance red 2005 Porsche Carrera GT when his friend and business partner, Roger Rodas, lost control and smashed into a light pole and tree. The car burst into flames and both men were burned beyond recognition.
Police suspect the car was speeding when it crashed.
Walker and Rodas had just left an event for Walker’s charity, Reach Out Worldwide, when tragedy struck.