Multiple MMA sources say that Charles Lewis, better known as Mask, the man behind the MMA clothing line TapouT, died early Wednesday morning in a car crash in Newport Beach, California.Mask was reportedly driving his red Ferrari around 1 a.m. when he collided with a Porsche, hit a curb and hit a light pole. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and his passenger was hospitalized with unspecified injuries. KTLA News reported that the impact of the crash broke the Ferrari into two pieces.
Police said the Porsche came to a brief stop and then sped away. The Los Angeles Times reports that the driver of the Porsche, Jeffrey David Kirby, was later apprehended and charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. His bail was set at $1 million.
Although there has been no official confirmation from either the police or TapouT that Mask was the man who died, several sources in the MMA world have said Mask died, and multiple MMA web sites are reporting it. Mask's friends and family are in the thoughts of everyone in the MMA community today.
UPDATE: TapouT has confirmed the death of Lewis.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chucky rest in peace. My prayers are with you! your former field trainer officer and jail partner....M J
rest in peace brother! you made a difference!and you mattered.
too bad, too sad
rip brother....now kick some ass in heaven...
RIP Charlie...
"'MR CHARLES LEWIS JR'"MASK"OF"TAPOUT"
***************************************
ONE WHO TOUCHED THE LIVES OF MANY,
GONE TO HEAVEN FOR A NEW BEGINING,
HIS SPIRIT WILL SURROUND THIS EARTH,
FOR GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT ITS WORTH,
FOR ONLY GOOD CAN COME OF THIS,
EVEN THO HE'LL BE GREATLY MISSED!
REST IN PEACE, OUR HERO OF A GREAT MAN!
***************************************
truly a tremendous tragedy..only knowing him from the show he was always trying to help someone to better themselves. my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. the MMA community has lost an ambassador!
Hey, Jerk0ff... the guy in the Porsche is being held for $1m bail - that means Lewis was not the idiot in this collision. Learn to read before commenting, you piece of trash. RIP, Mask
What a bunch of SAPPY comments and stupid at that, you boys need to get a clue its "too late " to pray for him, what I mean by that is "IF" he left earth without Jesus being his Lord AND Savior all the prayer in the world will do him no good
Sad sad day in the MMA world and for MMA fans. Mask did alot for this sport I love. I had the honor of meeting Mask Feb 6th, 2009 at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa. Mask had an uncany ability to make you feel like his best friend like he has known you for years. A great man was lost today and he will be mist. Much love and prayers to his family and friends.
Wow. That really sucks. I met him before. He had no problem taking the time out to talk to fans about MMA and the like. A great promoter of the sport and a truly unique and colorful character. A true loss. RIP
i met mask at ufc 74 at the mandalay bay and he was nothing short of a friend. he always made you feel like hed known you for years and took the time to take pics and sign autographs for not only me but ffor everyone he came in contact with. he was mma before mma became mainstream. he believed in the product and in mma and for that his legacy will live on as long as mma is around
rest in peace mask
jt
why bother posting your ignorant comment if you only knew what he did for mma youd realize how rediculous your comment is
may god have mercy on your soul
damn.. thats sad.. due to the nature of the accident it looked like it could have been due to wreckless driving.. a ferrari and a porsche.. no question as to what they could have possibly been doing. significant loss in the world of MMA..
RIP, brother.
What's with this "rest in peace" stuff? When you're dead...you're dead. you have no way of knowing that you're resting in peace. It's as if you never lived...morons.
I created a memorial in his name. Please visit and leave a message, light a candle, share a story, etc.
http://www.ilasting.com/charleslewis.php
I don't know what to say. Words cannot express how much hurt this brings to me and my family. RIP! We will miss your face and that crazy laugh!
badcatt said he was a guy that had a dream and did it, he wore a cross and on some clothes had a cross .Does anyone know if he knew Jesus I saw him on TV and he seems like a real nice person.
RIP Mask. A great businessman and a truly unique character. Nobody cared more about up and coming fighters. ROB ROY!!! He will be missed.