The mixed martial arts community lost one of its biggest personalities early Wednesday morning in a car crash in Costa Mesa, Calif.

High-speed tragedy Photos: TapouT co-founder Charles "Mask" Lewis died after his Ferrari hit a lamp post at a high speed and split in two on a California road. Check out the aftermath of the crash.
Charles "Mask" Lewis, the 45-year-old co-founder of the TapouT apparel company, died when he lost control of his Ferrari and hit a lamp pole. Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement on its Web site, TapouT said, "It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we must regretfully confirm the passing of our beloved friend, brother and co-founder Charles 'Mask' Lewis following a car accident that occurred last night. ... Many thanks to all for the outpouring of blessings and well-wishes during this incredibly difficult time."

The Los Angeles Times reported that a Newport Beach Police Department officer witnessed the crash and saw Lewis' red Ferrari and a white Porsche spinning out of control just before 1 a.m. Wednesday. The Ferrari then hit the curb and collided into a pole.


Charles "Mask" Lewis (www.tapout.com / Special to FOXSports.com)

"It was terrible," Newport Beach Lt. Craig Fox told the Times. "It was extensive damage to the vehicle."

A woman in the Ferrari was ejected from the vehicle and was in stable condition at a local hospital. Police haven't determined if she was the driver or passenger of the Ferrari, according to the Times.

Police later arrested the driver of the Porsche, Jeffrey David Kirby, and charged him with gross vehicular manslaughter. He was being held on $1 million bail.

There was a 50-mph limit on the road, but police believe both cars were traveling well above that limit, according to a report on KTLA.com. The Web site also reported that Lewis' car appeared to be a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, which can reach a top speed of 205 mph and carries a price tag around $300,000.

Lewis and Dan "Punkass" Caldwell founded TapouT in 1997 as a clothing and MMA gear retailer. In addition to retail, the private company also signed deals with fighters, including Kimbo Slice, and is a sponsor of fight events
http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/sto...HPHCP&GT1=39002

 

Well then the website got it wrong LOL, that is (was) an F430.

R.I.P. Charles

 

Nope, it was a 360 CS.

And there is a thread on this in the lounge.

 

RIP. not all of us are lucky when doing something stupid.

 

Definitely 360 CS...why is the Porsche driver being held?

W

 

They are saying he was racing.

 

One less idiot on the planet

 

Damn I was gonna say "Money cant fix stupid".
That really sucks though.

 

I'm hoping that the female passenger pulls through & without any life altering injuries. That man "Charles" had helped a lot of people with his self made $. I choose to remember him in that way.

 

**** happens. We don't buy/build fast street cars to stare at them. Some race on the track (I don't).

No reason to call the guy stupid without knowing the facts. Regardless, I'll remember to say the same to you if/when a part fails on your car/you catch some sand/who the **** knows what... ends your life.

 

LOL...Ya know, my original post was worded in a similar fashion. Decided to go with the subtle approach instead. Am glad you said it & I couldn't agree more.

 

Man look at the car, he must have taped out before helped arrived.

 

"One less idiot on the planet"

Only by the grace of God we didn't do something just as dumb at 16.

W

 

oh my god how tragic. I mean seriously, this is messed up! You are all so insensitive!! How could you post some of the things you've said when there has been such a devastating loss.



I mean, do you even know how rare that Ferrari is?

 

You are a ******, EvilZ06, LOL.

W

 

Sadly, I thought the same thing after hoping the guy was ready to go.

W

 

LOL! i wonder if all the rims are good, can someone give me the contact info? I've wanted those for a while for my dads 360.

 

word!

 

I read on another site that the Porsche driver was observed actually clipping Mask's car thus causing him to lose control. The guy in the Porsche kept driving, and eventually pulled over, got out and started walking down the street like he wasn't the owner of the car or involved in the accident that he caused down the street. I guess this guy is a real piece of work as he was drunk; 2nd dui in the past couple of years.

 

I'm amazed that the woman is in stable condition and didn't die, that is a nasty wreck.

There should be a ls1tech site poll on if you have or haven't been triple digits outside of a track environment, I'm sure its at least 75% of the people on here. I hate reading comments like you're a idiot, one less moron, etc. We don't know the circumstances.