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Jessi Combs of 'Mythbusters' dies in jet car crash attempting speed record in Oregon
The professional racer and former host of "Mythbusters" was identified as the sole fatality connected with the accident, which is under investigation.
Jessi Combs participates in a panel for Velocity's program "Overhaulin'" in Beverly Hills, California, on Aug. 2, 2012.Phil McCarten / Reuters file
Aug. 28, 2019, 2:51 PM EDT / Updated Aug. 28, 2019, 4:16 PM EDT
By Janelle Griffith
Jessi Combs, a professional speed racer and former host of "Mythbusters," died Tuesday in a crash on the Alvord Desert in Oregon as she was in a jet car attempting to break a land-speed record, authorities said.
She was 39.
The Harney County Sheriff's Office said it was called to the scene of the fatal crash in the desert about 90 miles south of Burns, Oregon, around 4 p.m. Tuesday. She was pursuing a record on a dry lake bed in Oregon, her family said in a statement.
Combs, who was the lead driver on the North American Eagle racing team, was identified as the sole fatality connected with the accident, which is under investigation.
"Jessi’s bright smile, positivity, and tenacious pursuit of her dreams inspired everyone who met her," her family said. "Her drive and spirit were infectious, and she served as a role model for young girls and women around the world."
Combs was surrounded by her friends and family at the time of her death.
"People that loved her and followed her became family, all bonded together by adventure and passion," her family said. "Her fans adored her, and she lived to inspire them."
Her most notable dream, one that she had been chasing since 2012, was to become the fastest woman on earth, according to her family.
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"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," they said.
Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics
Terry Madden, Combs' teammate, said Combs died "in a horrific accident" and that he "was the first one there." He said he "did everything humanly possible to save her."
"I’m not OK, but she is right here keeping me going," Madden captioned an Instagram video montage of Combs.
Jessi Combs of 'Mythbusters' dies in jet car crash attempting speed record in Oregon
The professional racer and former host of "Mythbusters" was identified as the sole fatality connected with the accident, which is under investigation.
Jessi Combs participates in a panel for Velocity's program "Overhaulin'" in Beverly Hills, California, on Aug. 2, 2012.Phil McCarten / Reuters file
Aug. 28, 2019, 2:51 PM EDT / Updated Aug. 28, 2019, 4:16 PM EDT
By Janelle Griffith
Jessi Combs, a professional speed racer and former host of "Mythbusters," died Tuesday in a crash on the Alvord Desert in Oregon as she was in a jet car attempting to break a land-speed record, authorities said.
She was 39.
The Harney County Sheriff's Office said it was called to the scene of the fatal crash in the desert about 90 miles south of Burns, Oregon, around 4 p.m. Tuesday. She was pursuing a record on a dry lake bed in Oregon, her family said in a statement.
Combs, who was the lead driver on the North American Eagle racing team, was identified as the sole fatality connected with the accident, which is under investigation.
"Jessi’s bright smile, positivity, and tenacious pursuit of her dreams inspired everyone who met her," her family said. "Her drive and spirit were infectious, and she served as a role model for young girls and women around the world."
Combs was surrounded by her friends and family at the time of her death.
"People that loved her and followed her became family, all bonded together by adventure and passion," her family said. "Her fans adored her, and she lived to inspire them."
Her most notable dream, one that she had been chasing since 2012, was to become the fastest woman on earth, according to her family.
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"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," they said.
Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics
Terry Madden, Combs' teammate, said Combs died "in a horrific accident" and that he "was the first one there." He said he "did everything humanly possible to save her."
"I’m not OK, but she is right here keeping me going," Madden captioned an Instagram video montage of Combs.
Jessi Combs of 'Mythbusters' dies in jet car crash attempting speed record in Oregon
RIP....
