Oregon authorities are investigating on-board computers in the jet-powered car that killed speed racer and TV personality Jessi Combs in a fiery crash earlier this week.
Investigators hope that engine and systems information stored on the computers in the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger could shed light on what went wrong during Tuesday’s crash in Oregon’s Alvord Desert.
The 39-year-old, dubbed ‘the fastest woman on four wheels’, was attempting to break her own 2013 land speed record of 398mph when she crashed.
The 56-foot, 52,000-horsepower ‘jet car’ went up in flames, but police have not said whether an impact caused the blaze.
‘The team was able to recover the on-board computers and they’re attempting to get the data off of them, but that has not been recovered yet,’ Lt Brian Needham of the Harney County Sheriff’s Office told the New York Post on Thursday.
Oregon authorities are investigating on-board computers in the jet-powered car that killed speed racer and TV personality Jessi Combs in a fiery crash on Tuesday
Investigators hope that engine and systems information stored on the computers in the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger could shed light on what went wrong during the crash in Oregon’s Alvord Desert. Combs is with the vehicle in May
The exact details of the crash have not yet been released but her family said she was surrounded by loved ones when she died.
Her family said she had been chasing her dream to become the fastest woman on Earth 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,’ they said in a statement.
Combs broke the 398mph record in 2013 and joined the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger team as driver that same year.
She managed to hit 483 miles per hour in a shakedown run on the same 13-mile course in 2016 but it ended prematurely due to mechanical issues.
Combs was driving the same North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger she has used in previous attempts in Tuesday’s fatal crash.
Just days before her death, Combs had posted on Instagram acknowledging her quest to break 512mph.
‘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,’ she wrote, adding the hashtags #gottabreak512 #aimingfor619.
Combs, dubbed ‘the fastest woman on four wheels’, was attempting to break her own 2013 land speed record of 398mph when she crashed and died aged 39
The 56-foot-long, 52,000-horsepower North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger went up in flames during the wreck, but police have not said whether it crashed into anything
Days before her death, Combs shared her goal to break 512mph in an Instagram post (above)
The professional racer (pictured) hosted various car shows and also appeared as a host and builder on Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters
Her partner Terry Madden confirmed news of the horrific accident in an Instagram tribute post on Wednesday, saying he did everything he could to save her.
‘I was the first one there and trust me we did everything humanly possible to save her,’ Madden wrote.
‘I have never loved or been loved by anyone as much as this amazing woman 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.
‘I’m not okay 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.’
Her family paid tribute to Combs saying she 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.
‘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.’
Combs had been chasing her dream of becoming the fastest woman on Earth 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,’ her family said
Hundreds of people have paid tribute to Combs in the wake of her death.
TV host Jay Leno, who previously featured Combs on an episode of his CNBC show, Jay Leno’s Garage, led the flood of tributes, writing on Twitter: ‘In memory of the fastest woman on four wheels. Your memory lives on.’
Mythbusters’ Kari Byron, who was temporarily replaced by Combs while on maternity leave, tweeted: ‘So sad to hear about Jessi. She was a badass. Always pushing limits. Sending smiles into the universe for her.
‘She was a brilliant & too-notch builder, engineer, driver, fabricator, and science communicator, & strove everyday to encourage others by her prodigious example. She was also a colleague, and we are lesser for her absence.’
Byron’s co-star Tory Belleci added: ‘Absolutely gutted to hear the news of Jessi Combs. You’re a legend Jessi and I will miss you my friend.’
Former Mythbusters’ host Adam Savage tweeted: ‘I’m so so sad, Jessi Combs has been killed in a crash. She was a brilliant & too-notch builder, engineer, driver, fabricator, and science communicator, & strove everyday to encourage others by her prodigious example. She was also a colleague, and we are lesser for her absence.’
Actress Kristy Swanson wrote: ‘We became instant friends & with open arms you welcomed me into the biker family, riding beside you was an honor.
‘A radiant pearl tough, strong & beautiful on the outside but soft on the inside. My heart is so heavy, I will miss you my sister.’
TV host Jay Leno, who previously featured Combs on an episode of his CNBC show, Jay Leno’s Garage, led the flood of tributes to the renowned speed racer on Twitter
Mythbusters’ Kari Byron, who was temporarily replaced by Combs while on maternity leave, tweeted: ‘So sad to hear about Jessi. She was a badass. Always pushing limits. Sending smiles into the universe for her’
Former Mythbusters’ host Adam Savage tweeted that he is ‘so so sad’ over Combs’ death
Mythbusters’ co-star Tory Belleci shared a photo of himself with Combs on Instagram
Actress Kristy Swanson also shared a heartfelt tribute to Combs on Twitter
Combs is pictured above in Oregon during a test session in 2016
Born in Rapid City, South Dakota, Combs had a lifelong dream to become a race car driver.
She graduated from WyoTech in Wyoming with a degree in Custom Automotive Fabrication and eventually fell into television.
She hosted various automotive shows, including Xtreme 4×4, Overhaulin’, Truck U, and Two Guys Garage.
Combs had previously also appeared as a host and builder on Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters.
Her family said they were planning a celebration of her life and vowed to set up a foundation to continue her efforts to empower women and young girls.
Combs was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, and fulfilled her dream of being a race car driver
Her death has led to an outpouring of support from devastated colleagues, friends and fans
Just days before her death, Combs had posted on Instagram acknowledging her quest to break 512mph