'Walk into the line of fire': Reality star's eerie post before car crash death
Reality TV star and high-speed race car driver Jessi Combs had forewarned of the imminent danger she faced just days before she died in a fiery crash, attempting a land-speed record.
Combs was a much loved race car driver, science communicator and TV personality who appeared on the hit series Mythbusters, among others.
She died on Thursday driving a 17-metre-long jet-like car capable of generating over 45,500 horsepower. It was dubbed the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger.
Combs had already earned the moniker the "fastest woman on four wheels" after reaching 398 mph (640km/h) in the same vehicle in 2013.
However something went wrong during the latest stunt, resulting in a fiery and fatal crash. She was 39.
The death was confirmed by police who arrived at the scene of the accident which took place in the dry lake bed of an Oregon desert on Tuesday (local time).
“Harney County Dispatch received a report that a jet car crashed while attempting to break a land speed record on the Alvord Desert, leading to one fatality,” Harney County Sheriff's Office said.
“The crash also caused a jet fuel fire on the desert.”
At the moment the cause of the crash is unknown and investigations are ongoing, authorities added.
Star’s haunting post just days before fatal crash
In her penultimate Instagram post just four days ago, she foreshadowed the massive task ahead of her - and its inherent danger.
A photo showed Combs striding towards the rocket car that would ultimately be the source of her demise. She always knew death was a possibility.
“It may seem a little crazy to walk directly into the line of fire... those who are willing, are those who achieve great things,” she wrote alongside the picture.
“People say I’m crazy. I say thank you.”
Underneath her post, fans were quick to offer encouragement ahead of her record-breaking attempt.
“You got this, you are truly awesome, and inspirational to women and men alike,” said one.
While another offered a particularly haunting quote: “You’ll either achieve great things or end up dead... or both... but you can die unhappy and alone on a couch”.
Following news of her death, friends returned to the post to mourn the star.
“Rest in power Jessi,” wrote professional rider Scott Birdsall.
“Her legacy will certainly live on through the community,” one person offered.
“If what I heard is true, Jessi will be missed. Condolences to her fiancee,” said another user.
Another called it a “horrible f***ing day”.
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