Walker's body 'unidentifiable': autopsy reports

Actor Paul Walker suffered horrific burns and traumatic injuries in the 160km/h crash that claimed his life and that of a friend, autopsy reports have revealed.

The report, released overnight by the Los Angeles County Coroner's office, says the 40-year-old's body was so badly burned his hair and eye colour could not be determined upon visual examination.

Officials said Walker was found with his fists raised in a "pugilistic stance" suggesting he braced for impact and sustained fractures in both his right and left wrists.

He also sustained jaw, collarbone, rib and pelvic fractures and had "scant soot" in his trachea caused by smoke inhalation.

Neither Walker nor the man behind the wheel, the Hollywood star's friend and financial advisor Roger Rodas, 38, had drugs or alcohol in their system.

The autopsy said Mr Rodas also suffered fourth degree burns over his entire body but died from blunt head, neck and chest trauma, not the fire.

The head trauma was so great that his skull "opened widely" due to fractures and his brain exposed, the gruesome report stated.

A coroner spokesman said it is believed that both men died almost instantly.

According to the report, police believed Mr Rodas was travelling at speeds of 160km/h when he lost control of his 2005 Porsche Carrera GT near a charity event in California on November 30.

The vehicle partially spun before mounting an embankment.

The driver's side hit a tree and a light post before spinning a full 180 degrees, hitting another tree on the passenger's side and bursting into flames.

The force of the crash split all four tyres in half, the report said.

Investigators found no mechanical problems with the Porsche or problems with the road.

Details of the incident came on the same day the two men accused of jacking a roof panel off the wrecked Porsche pleaded not guilty, pending a preliminary hearing February 25.

Jameson Witty, 18, and Anthony Janow, 25, could face up to four years and six months in county jail if convicted.

Source: New York Daily News
Author: Chloe Ross, Approving editor: Martin Zavan