Jessi Combs, the race car driver who moonlighted as host of the hit show Mythbusters, has died. Combs was killed during her most recent stunt, in which she was attempting to break her own land-speed record. She was 36.
Combs was involved in the fatal crash during her attempt on Tuesday (August 27) while in a jet-car driving on a dry lake bed in Oregon. According to reports, she was attempting to reach a speed of 619 mp/h — or 996 km/h.
This afternoon, the news was confirmed by the Discovery Channel, which said, "The Discovery and MotorTrend family is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Jessi Combs.... She was a friend and colleague, an icon in the industry, and an undeniable force of nature who left an indelible mark on the car world. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones."
Combs had previously been named "the fastest woman on four wheels" after achieving 398 miles per hour while driving the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenge. She had been aiming to hit 619 miles in the latest stunt, but crashed and ultimately died.
See Combs' Instagram post announcing the stunt below.
Combs' team member Terry Madden shared a montage of the driver on Instagram, writing, "She was truly my unicorn and I enjoyed every single minute that I had with her."
Combs was involved in the fatal crash during her attempt on Tuesday (August 27) while in a jet-car driving on a dry lake bed in Oregon. According to reports, she was attempting to reach a speed of 619 mp/h — or 996 km/h.
This afternoon, the news was confirmed by the Discovery Channel, which said, "The Discovery and MotorTrend family is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Jessi Combs.... She was a friend and colleague, an icon in the industry, and an undeniable force of nature who left an indelible mark on the car world. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones."
Combs had previously been named "the fastest woman on four wheels" after achieving 398 miles per hour while driving the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenge. She had been aiming to hit 619 miles in the latest stunt, but crashed and ultimately died.
See Combs' Instagram post announcing the stunt below.
Combs' team member Terry Madden shared a montage of the driver on Instagram, writing, "She was truly my unicorn and I enjoyed every single minute that I had with her."