Paul Walker Dead -- 'Fast and The Furious' Star Dies in Fiery Car Crash

Paul's rep just released a statement about his death, and says "He was a passenger in a friend's car, in which both lost their lives." Witnesses on the scene originally said they thought the car was Paul's ... but have since confirmed it was not.

The rep added that Paul was "attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide."

Paul Walker -- best known for his role in "The Fast and the Furious" movies -- died Saturday afternoon after a single-car accident and explosion in Southern California ...ezytalks has learned.

The accident happened in Santa Clarita -- north of Los Angeles -- and Paul
was the passenger in the two-seater Porsche Carrera GT when the driver somehow lost control and slammed into a post or a tree ... and the car burst into flames.

Several of our sources -- some of whom were at the scene of the accident -- tell us a friend of Paul's was driving and was also killed in the fiery wreck.

At this point, it's unclear what caused the accident, but cops have said it appears speed played a major factor.

Paul was 40 years old. He leaves behind a 15-year-old daughter named Meadow.

Sources close to Paul said he was in Santa Clarita for a car show to support the Philippines typhoon relief effort -- and several of his friends were at the event ... and the accident happened very near to the event.