LOS ANGELES — The neighborhood where “Fast & Furious” star Paul Walker died in a one-car crash is known to attract street racers, according to law enforcement officials.

Walker, 40, and his friend and fellow fast-car enthusiast Roger Rodas, 38, died Saturday when the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT they were traveling in smashed into a light pole and tree. Walker’s publicist said the action star was Rodas’ passenger.

The two had taken what was expected to be a brief drive away from a charity fundraiser and toy drive at Rodas’ custom car shop in the Southern California community of Valencia, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

The crash happened on a street that forms an approximately 1-mile loop amid industrial office parks and is rimmed by hills and isolated from traffic, especially on weekends.

“It’s well-known out here that that’s a hot spot for street racers,” said California Highway Patrol Sgt. Rick Miler. “It’s a long stretch where, weekends, businesses are all closed and they feel like nobody’s going to bother them up there.”

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is still investigating the accident, but already has said speed was a factor. The posted limit was 45 mph.

Walker starred in all but one of the six “Fast & Furious” blockbusters. He had been on break from shooting the latest installment; Universal Pictures has not said what it plans to do with “Fast & Furious 7,” currently scheduled for a July release.