Jessi Combs’ Family Issues Statement After Fatal Car Crash

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Jessi Combs / Instagram

Automotive legend Jessi Combs passed away on Tuesday

While attempting to beat her land speed record of 398mph on Tuesday (August 27), she crashed her vehicle in the Alvard Desert, which is roughly 90 miles south of Burns, Oregon – a place she so often drove. According to ABC 7, “The Harney County Sheriff’s Office said it was called to a scene of a fatal crash. [She] was identified as the sole fatality connected to the accident.”

A member of her team, Terry Madden, confirmed her passing on Instagram Wednesday morning.

“So I don’t know how to say any of this but it all needs said. 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,” he wrote accompanying a video collage of 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!!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1tUB2lHGKX/

Combs was trained in fabrication and hot-rod building at WyoTech, making a career in hosting, building, and being a technical expert on shows like Xtreme 4×4, Overhaulin’, Truck U, and Two Guys Garage. She then starred in Velocity channel’s All Girls Garage and was a host and builder on Discovery Channel’s popular show Mythbusters.

She also competed in a variety of racing events. She became the first woman to place at Ultra4’s King of the Hammers, and performed very well in every race she entered including the Baja 1000, Rallye Aicha des Gazelles, and was the very first woman to race in The Race of Gentlemen.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Tributes from fans and friends began rolling in, and her family has finally released a statement to Jalopink, a car publication.

The statement read:

“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 fulfillment 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.

Jessi is known for her hosting work on television series including “All Girls Garage”, “Overhaulin’ “, Extreme 4×4 and Autoblog’s “The List”.

Jessi is survived by her Mother Nina (Chuck, niece NIna Alayne) Darrington, Father Jamie (Sandy) Combs, brother Kelly Combs (Cary, Eli, Ethan and Anna), sisters Danielle Theis (Jacin, Justice, Nation), Brother Austin Darrington (Leah, Lane) Kayla Green, Kyrie Darrington, Natasha Darrington

Step sisters Rebekah Hall (son Aaren Kearns), Arielle Hall (son Dru Hanson). And Jessi‘s love Terry Madden and his son Dalton.

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.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends, and loved ones.

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Jennifer Pernicano

Hey there! My name is Jen, and I grew up in Los Angeles. I moved further down the coast to San Diego in 2011 and have been here ever since! I first moved to San Diego County to attend Cal State San Marcos, where I was recruited to play soccer. During my Senior Year, we…

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