Professional driver and Mythbusters host Jessi Combs was killed in an accident while driving her 52,000 horsepower jet-powered car. She was 39 years old.
"Jessi's bright smile, positivity, and tenacious pursuit of her dreams inspired everyone who met her. Her drive and spirit were infectious, and she served as a role model for young girls and women around the world,"her family said in a statement.
Combs, who was known as the "fastest woman on four wheels," was racing across a dry bed lake in Alvord Desert in Oregon in an attempt to break her own land speed record of 440 miles per hour, which she set back in 2016.
Days before the tragic accident, Combs posted on Instagram saying that her ultimate goal was to reach speeds of 619 mph in her North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger.
"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 ;)"
When Combs wasn't out trying to break new speed records, she starred onOverhaulin'andAll Girls Garageand was a host onMythbusters. She also worked a professional stunt driver for movies and television commercials.
Photo: Getty Images