One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Charles 'Mask' Lewis of TapoutT May Have Been Killed in Ferrari Crash
From left, "Skyskrape," Charles "Mask" Lewis & "Punkass" from TapouT
This morning's crash in Newport Beach where a ferrari was cut in half after it rammed into a light pole may have left martial arts and ultimate wrestling star Charles "Mask" Lewis dead, according to a source who wishes to remain anonymous. Rumors began to leak throughout the TapouT community, but a source close to Lewis confirmed that rare Ferrari seen in news footage was owned by him. According to the source, Lewis' TapouT partner Dan "Punkass" Caldwell allegedly received word this morning about the MMA star's death, and that Lewis' fiancee, the alleged injured female passenger, was in the ICU. A Costa Mesa man who was driving a Porsche was reportedly arrested in connection to the incident for vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.
Lewis and two others are known for the reality show TapouT, but more are widely recognized for their very successful Inland Empire apparel company.
UPDATE: The LA Times also has a source confirming the death of Lewis.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
