TapouT creator killed in Ferrari wreck

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., March 11 (UPI) -- The man who died in the crash of a sports car in Newport Beach, Calif., Wednesday was TapouT apparel line co-founder Charles "Mask" Lewis Jr., officials said.

Police said they arrested the driver of a Porsche allegedly involved in the fatal crash on a vehicular manslaughter charge, The Orange County Register reported. Jeffrey Kirby, 51, Costa Mesa, was being held in lieu of $1 million bail after witnesses reported seeing his vehicle leaving the crash scene, the Register said.

Lewis, 45, was driving a 2004 Ferrari Modena when the accident occurred early Wednesday. A female passenger was injured.

The Register said the two cars reportedly were driving alongside one another about 1 a.m. PDT when the Ferrari went off the road and slammed into a utility pole, splitting the vehicle into two pieces. It was not known if the two cars were racing.

Kirby and a 32-year-old woman were picked up a few blocks from the scene walking away from the damaged car. The woman was arrested on suspicion of being intoxicated and later released.

Newport Police would not officially release the victim's pending notification of next of kin. But TapouT released the following 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," the company said. "We are currently in the process of setting up a memorial service in his honor and will release more details as they become available.