FIERY CAR CRASH CLAIMED THE LIFE OF "Fast and Furious" STAR PAUL WALKER'S AT 40

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 Santa Clarita -- north of Los Angeles California.

Late Paul Walker

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 said the car was Paul's ... but also said he was in the passenger seat.

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

According to multiple sources connected to Paul ... the actor was in a Porsche when the driver somehow lost control and slammed into a post or a tree ... and then the car burst into flames.