US race car driver and television personality Jessi Combs has been killed in a crash while attempting to set a new land speed record.
Combs’ family confirmed that she had died in a crash in a jet-powered car in south-east Oregon on Tuesday, 27 August 2019, but further details were not immediately released.
In a statement, the family said they remembered her “bright smile [and] positivity“.
Combs, 39, had been dubbed the “fastest woman on four wheels“.
She earned the title in 2013 when she reached 398 miles per hour (641km/h). Combs was trying to best that speed and the absolute women’s land speed record of 512 miles per hour (824km/h) – set by Kitty O’Neil in 1976 – when she crashed.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1N1qTLlg_O/
“Jessi’s most notable dream was to become the fastest woman on Earth, a dream she had been chasing since 2012… and she left this Earth driving faster than any other woman in history,” her family says.
Her teammate Terry Madden also paid tribute to her on social media.
“Unfortunately we lost her yesterday in a horrific accident, I was the first one there and trust me we did everything humanly possible to save her,” he says in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
Combs had appeared on a number of television shows, including Overhaulin’, All Girls Garage and Mythbusters.
She was a driver with the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger team and had been chronicling her attempt to set a new land-speed record in the days before her death.
“It may seem a little crazy to walk directly into the line of fire… those who are willing, are those who achieve great things. People say I’m crazy. I say thank you,” she writes on Instagram on Monday.
Her family’s full statement:
“It is with extreme grief, and in celebration of her life that her family and close friends share that race car driver, and TV personality Jessi Combs, passed away in a fatal crash, where she was pursuing a land speed record in the North American Eagle on August, 27th 2019 on a dry lake bed in Oregon. The details of the crash have not been released at this time.
“Jessi was known for her bright smile, positivity, and tenacious pursuit of the fulfilment of her dreams. Her drive was infectious, and she served as a role model for young Girls, and Women around the world. People that loved her and followed her became family, all bonded together by adventure and passion. Her fans adored her, and she lived to inspire them. Jessi’s most notable dream was to become the fastest woman on Earth, a dream she had been chasing since 2012. Combs was one of the rare dreamers with the bravery to turn those possibilities into reality, and she left this earth driving faster than any other woman in history.
“Surrounded by her family and friends at the time of her passing, Jessi lived fearlessly, and her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched.
“A celebration of Jessi’s life in being planned and a foundation is being created to continue her efforts to empower women and young girls to follow their dreams.
“RIP Jessi. You will forever be missed, and remembered for the shining star you are in the automotive world and beyond!“
Join readers who get our weekly entertainment recap — the stories worth your time, delivered every Friday.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy.
