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[Eviltoes]

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. Witness the aftermath of the crash.
Video: Did racing cause 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 (TAPOUT - Bad For The Sport! / 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 Newport Beach Police Department told FOXSports.com that Lewis' car was a 2004 Modena Ferrari. That Modena can reach speeds of more than 180 mph and retails for almost $200,000.

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.


***MSN HOMEPAGE***

[Tapout 07]

Mask and the TapouT crew are so inspiration to entreprenuers, young mma fighters and just there fun-wit attitudes about life. My screen name is in honor of those guys and my condolences go out to the TapouT family and Mask family. R.I.P

[egangster]

this sucks because i dont think tapout will be here now because that was there leader

most likely there will be no tapout anymore there leader died

i hope they still do tapout but i doubt it mask i can not belive he died he was only 45 years old


r.i.p MASK

[Typhoid]

Originally Posted by egangster

this sucks because i dont think tapout will be here now because that was there leader

most likely there will be no tapout anymore there leader died

i hope they still do tapout but i doubt it mask i can not belive he died he was only 45 years old


r.i.p MASK

I doubt TapouT is going anywhere. Even though Mask is gone, the brand is worth millions and will continue to make someone a lot of money. Plus they are a sponsor of many fighters and it would definitely hurt if they were just to cease operations.