R.I.P.
TapouT Owner Dies in Horrific Ferrari Crash

TMZ has confirmed the owner of the TapouT MMA clothing line died this morning when his ultra-rare $300,000 Ferrari crashed into a light pole, ripping the car in half.

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TMZ has learned Charles Lewis Jr. -- aka "Mask" -- was driving his Ferrari Modena in Orange County, Calif. around 1:00 AM this morning when cops say it "left the roadway, hit the curb, took out a light pole."

"Mask" was declared dead at the scene. A female passenger -- who was ejected from the crash -- was taken to a local hospital, but we're told she's in bad shape.

Cops believe "Mask" was racing a guy in a Porsche at the time of the crash, and authorities have since arrested the guy they believe was driving the other car. That man -- Jeffrey David Kirby -- is being held on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter.

UPDATE: A rep for TapouT released this statement: "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. We are currently in the process of setting up a memorial service in his honor and will release more details as they become available. Many thanks to all for the outpouring of blessings and well-wishes during this incredibly difficult time."

Tags: accident, Charles Lewis Jr, CharlesLewisJr, crash, dead, die, Ferrari, Jeffrey David Kirby, JeffreyDavidKirby, Mask, MMA, Porsche, Tapout

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(Page 5 of 31) Previous 15 Comments | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

61. I take everything back I said about this guy. Now that I think about it, it's a mans life and he's dead now regardless of who I thought him to be. Sorry everyone. Sorry for being a hater.

Posted at 5:57PM on Mar 22nd 2009 by ☆★RoXaNnE☆★

62. This is the most poorly written news story in the history of man kind.

I can hardly understand what the news story is about.

TMZ...seriously. WTF.


Posted at 4:15PM on Mar 11th 2009 by Steve

63. Ok.. assmouth

I am a ho and I only own a bike and I have a 1 bedroom apartment and yeah.. you summed it up in a nutshell..

I am sorry that I upset you so much...
Little Ol' Me
On my bike and my 1 bedroom apartment..

You are wrong about me..
NOW TIME TO GET THE F☆CK OUT OF YOUR MOMMIES HOUSE AND F☆CK OFF!

It makes me a ho and means I live in a 1 bedroom apartment ( I HAVE A HOUSE- BUT MANY WOULD BE THANKFUL FOR A BIKE AND A 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT AND I HAVE MY OWN CAR-cant ride bikes easily in Minnesota in the winter)

Cant even believe I am taking time from eating lead to respond to you

Tell me..
How does my ASS TASTE assmouth?

Posted at 4:14PM on Mar 11th 2009 by ☆★RoXaNnE☆★

64. The only tragic thing about the story is that the only innocent person (the GF) got hurt.

Posted at 4:14PM on Mar 11th 2009 by tookus

65. Drove by this crash this morning.....It was spine chilling....it was a gruesome sight....and it was not a $300,000 car tmz....it was the Modena 360 and that runs you about $175,000 (give or take).

Posted at 4:17PM on Mar 11th 2009 by Ya so not cool

66. 2. Sucks, but being a dumbass has it's costs..

Posted at 3:23PM on Mar 11th 2009 by Dan


hey, dan. or should i say dumbass. the correct use of "its/it's" in this instance is its. you know, the possessive form. if you are going to call someone a dumbass (although at the basest level of your statement i agree with you) you might want to appear intelligent yourself.

Posted at 4:17PM on Mar 11th 2009 by i still hate retards

67. Is there a reason this made the news?

Posted at 9:08PM on Mar 11th 2009 by Hank Slappy

68. I wasn't a big Tap Out fan, but I hate to hear stuff like this.

Posted at 4:21PM on Mar 11th 2009 by Mr. Kneebar

69. I don't even know what to say. Charles was one of the most motivated and motivational guys I've ever met. He will be sorely missed by all that knew him, and even more that didn't.

He always had great perspective on life and always gave the best advice.

He would look at some of these comments and laugh... Especially the ones from you guys that obviously didn't "get" him.

I'll miss you dude.

Posted at 4:57PM on Mar 11th 2009 by Chip

70. O M G I saw this on the news before they found out who it was...how horrible!!!!! I was stunned to see this just now. Such a tragic loss for TapouT and the MMA industry. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.

RIP Mask

Posted at 4:24PM on Mar 11th 2009 by stephanovich

71. Must REALLY really suck to be you RoXaNne or whatever........guy dies in a car crash and all you can say is he's a douchebag........you're probably more of a douchebag.......I wasn't a big fan of his but, RIP bro.

Posted at 4:48PM on Mar 11th 2009 by Chico

72. I know this sounds nuts, but, I always thought he would leave me that car in his will....Silly me for thinking it would be intact! well bro rest in peace I hope you don't mind but I will accept the cash in lieu of................

Posted at 8:58AM on Mar 12th 2009 by leftover

73. Wow it's amazing how people on here like to hear themselves talk...Anyways sad what street racing can do and it often claims lives. Alot of times it's innocent people who suffer. I hope this is a lesson to anyone who wants to street race in the future!! My thoughts are with the families who are undoubtedly devastated!!

Posted at 4:25PM on Mar 11th 2009 by BSP

74. Another driver trying to impress a girly, in a very expensive car and doesn't know how to drive a street legal race car. He was racing a Porche? Wow, he should of smoked that car for sure. Once again, clowns are racing in the OC, where I live and should of had not been driving down Jamboree. That road is extremely bumpy and no wonder why he lost control.
God Speed Mask

Posted at 4:26PM on Mar 11th 2009 by RaCeR

75. Absolute douche-nozzle that built a clothing empire on the backs of stupid people with too much money. The idiotic logo makes people who wear that crap look retarded. Hope the ejected hooker dies, and more counts gets slapped on to the Porsche driver's charges for double vehicular manslaughter. RIP (Rest In Purgatory)

Posted at 4:57PM on Mar 11th 2009 by ☆★R0xanNa★☆

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