'Fast and Furious' actor Paul Walker dies in car crash

Andre Penner / AP file

Actor Paul Walker

Actor Paul Walker, the 40-year-old star of Universal Pictures' "Fast & Furious" movie franchise, was killed in a single-car crash in California Saturday, according to a post on his official Facebook page.

Walker was a passenger in a friend's car while attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide, the post read. Both lost their lives.

"Sadly I must confirm that Paul did pass away today in a car accident," Walker's representative Ame Van Iden told NBC News.

The crash took place north of Los Angeles in the community of Valencia. 

Authorities responded to the wreck at about 3:30 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. ET), the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station told NBCLosAngeles.com. 

The vehicle was engulfed in flames and extinguished by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, KNBC reported. Authorities found two people inside the vehicle after the fire was put out, officials said.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene, KNBC reported. 

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

At the time of his death, Walker was working on the latest "Fast & Furious" movie.

The "Fast & Furious" franchise is a series of action films depicting street racing.