ModernJeeper Jessi Combs aka “The Fastest Woman on Four Wheels” Killed in Jet Car Crash

CORRECTION: 12:43PM PST. 8/28/19:  We apologize for the mistake in Jessi’s age. Jessi’s mom issued a correction. Jessi was born in 1980.

UPDATE: Jessi’s Family Issued a Statement:

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.

Jessi Combs, whose career ranged from Race Car Driver to Television Personality, died yesterday as she was attempting to beat her own land speed record in the Alvord Desert of Oregon.

In 2013 Jessi reached 398 mph in the same North American Supersonic Speed Challenger to become the World’s Fastest Woman on Four Wheels.

Her death was confirmed by team member Terry Madden on Instagram.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

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. 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!! I’m not ok, but she is right here keeping my going-I made her a promise that if this didn’t go well that I would make sure and do good with it, please help me with that, you are all going to see things on news please believe non of them.. we the family have drafted a release and it will come out today with more proper info, but I was just woke up by the media tracking me down and I need everyone of her true friends to do what she would want “take a deep breath, relax” and do good things with this. Please donate to nothing, I know there will be people try, we are finishing the documentary as she wished and the world will know the truth and her foundation will use those funds to do amazing things in this world and make her legacy live on properly. In the coming days her family and I will get the proper channels put together that you can then donate to that foundation but until you hear it from me wait please-I don’t want some asshole profiting off this (all ready had one try to sell us a video)… . . Love you all and thank you all for being such amazing friends to her, she dedicated her life to helping support others dreams and I promise I will continue that.

A post shared by Terry L. Madden (@terry_madden) on Aug 28, 2019 at 5:51am PDT

Jessi was known to always live on the edge. Our own Mr. Modern Jeeper, Corey Osborne, was part of her team in 2017 when she attempted to race the Baja 1000.

 

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Take me back to heaven. What’s your dream race car… or favorite race memories?

A post shared by Jessi Combs (@thejessicombs) on Sep 29, 2018 at 7:23am PDT

An accomplished race-car Driver, Jessi raced the short lived Spec Class for team Falken and was part of the award winning Savvy Racing team, having won several King of the Hammers Every Man Challenge races including the 4600 class in 2018 in a 2-Door JK she dubbed GoldiRocks.

 

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Did you see it?! The show on @nbcsports last night was a great description full of beautiful imagery of what makes up King of the Hammers as a whole… well done team. Not gonna lie, was pretty cool to see Goldie Rocks hauling the mail across the lakebed too ;)… she’s so darn cute! #goldierocks

A post shared by Jessi Combs (@thejessicombs) on Dec 1, 2018 at 8:24am PST

Jessi first burst onto the off road scene as co-host to Ian Johnson on Xtreme 4×4, where she had four great years and over 90 episodes until an yet unexplained accident left her almost paralyzed. But the girl from Rapid City who had previously pursued a career in Snow Boarding before becoming a master fabricator, would not be kept down. After eight months of therapy and healing, she was back on her feet and moving on to other great accomplishments.

She’s appeared on Overhaulin, Mythbusters, 2 Guys Garage, TruckU and her own All Girls Garage.

The internet is burning up with memories and prayers for her family and friends. Her bubbly personality and hard core drive touched many and inspired more.

RIP Jessi Combs. 1980 – 2019

 

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I love racing. I love Baja. I love all of you. Even when I’m [only] chasing and even when the race car breaks. #4405 spun a harmonic balancer on the crankshaft early in the race… better luck next time @campbell_racing!

A post shared by Jessi Combs (@thejessicombs) on Nov 17, 2018 at 7:13am PST