Jessi Combs, former Mythbusters host, TV personality, and the world’s “fastest woman on four wheels” has died. She was 39 years old.
Combs died will attempting a land speed record in southeast Oregon. Details of the incident remain murky, however, news sources report that her jet-engined car crashed during a top speed attempt in the Alvord Desert on August 27th.
The Alvord Desert is a popular location for land speed records. Combs herself made several record attempts there, breaking the women's top speed of 393 mph in 2013, then later breaking her own record in 2016 by achieving a top speed of 477.49 mph, earning her the nickname "fastest woman on four wheels."
Combs was driving the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger, a 52,000-hp vehicle that uses the engine and fuselage of an F-104 fighter jet. Capable of supersonic flight when in the air, the ground vehicle achieves speeds that are highly dangerous and even the slightest bump in the surface can cause a catastrophic loss of control.
Racing team member and boyfriend Terry Madden posted a heartwarming tribute to Combs on his Instagram account.
Far more than just a top speed challenger, Combs also starred on several Television shows including Spike TV's Xtreme 4x4, season seven of Mythbusters, Overhaulin', All Girls Garage, The List: 1001 Car Things To Do Before You Die, and How to Build... Everything. A skilled fabricator, Combs would often take part in projects that were typically dominated by men, inspiring an entire generation of women to take part in the automotive world.
She was also a decorated racer, having taken part in both the Baja 1000 and King of Hammers events. She even finished first place in the 2016 King of Hammers, acquiring the title of "Queen of Hammers."
Jessi's family have issued a statement saying they're planning a "celebration of Jessi's life" and also creating a foundation to "to continue her efforts to empower women and young girls to follow their dreams.”