The race car driver, known as the 'fastest woman on four wheels', passed away at 39 years old after getting into a 'horrific' jet car accident in southeast Oregon.
- Aug 29, 2019
AceShowbiz - Race car driver and TV personality Jessi Combs has tragically passed away. The "MythBusters" star was killed in a crash of a jet-powered high speed race car while attempting to break a land speed record in southeast Oregon on Tuesday, August 27. She was only 39 years old.
The Harney County Sheriff's Office confirms that they received a call reporting that a jet car attempting to break a land speed record on the Alvord Desert had crashed, leading to one fatality. Jessi, who was later identified as the driver of the vehicle, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of the crash is still unknown at this time.
Terry L. Madden, a member of Jessi's team, confirmed the sad news on Wednesday. "So I don't know how to say any of this but it all needs said," he wrote in a lengthy caption of a tribute video for Jessi. "I have never loved or been loved by anyone as much as this amazing woman @thejessicombs she was truly my unicorn and I enjoyed every single minute that I had with her. She was the most amazing spirit that I have ever or will ever know. 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!!"
"I'm not ok, but she is right here keeping my going-I made her a promise that if this didn't go well that I would make sure and do good with it, please help me with that," he continued, before advising people not to believe fake reports or fake donations using Jessi's name. "you are all going to see things on news please believe non of them.. we the family have drafted a release and it will come out today with more proper info, but I was just woke up by the media tracking me down and I need everyone of her true friends to do what she would want 'take a deep breath, relax' and do good things with this," he added, before concluding it, "Love you all and thank you all for being such amazing friends to her, she dedicated her life to helping support others dreams and I promise I will continue that."
Jessi's colleagues and former "MythBusters" co-hosts also mourn her death. Motorcycle drag and land speed racer Valerie Thompson, who also attempted to break the record, wrote on Twitter, "It's with a heavy heart that I pass along the news that Jessi Combs passed away yesterday while attempting to break a land speed record. I also had the chance to attempt this record but it wasn't my turn...this hits home for me. Godspeed, Jessi Combs."
Adam Savage posted, "I'm so so sad, Jessi Combs has been killed in a crash. She was a brilliant & too-notch builder, engineer, driver, fabricator, and science communicator, & strove everyday to encourage others by her prodigious example. She was also a colleague, and we are lesser for her absence."
Kari Byron tweeted, "So sad to hear about Jessi. She was a badass. Always pushing limits. Sending smiles into the universe for her. @mythbusters."
Tory Belleci shared his pictures with Jessi on Instagram and wrote in the caption, "Absolutely gutted to hear the news of @thejessicombs You're a legend Jessi and I will miss you my friend."
Grant Imahara also paid tribute to Jessi, "So sorry to hear about Jessi. She was a talented builder and host, and above all, a go-getter."
Jessi appeared as a guest on "Jay Leno's Garage" last year. Jay Leno remembered the metal fabricator, "In memory of the fastest woman on four wheels. Your memory lives on."
