Jessi Combs‘ tragicdeathon Tuesday was not the first time the professional racer had risked her life for her career.
Combs, born Jessica (Jessi) Michelle Combs, died at age 36 after being involved in a crash in Oregon. And back in 2007, she nearly lost her life in a similar freak accident, which left her hospitalized and in therapy for eight months.
As described on Combs’website, the accident occurred while she was in the studio forXTreme 4×4. The racer and eventualMythbustersstar was “folded in two” from a large piece of machinery that fell on of her and burst fractured her spine’s L3.
Combs did not end up permanently using a wheelchair but required surgery, bed rest and therapy for eight months before she was granted a full medical release.
“Appreciative of her health and her time with Xtreme 4×4, Jessi chose to move on with her career and in 2008 left the show in pursuit of other opportunities,” her website states.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty
The Harney County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE on Wednesday that the professional racerdied on Tuesday at age 36.
Combs was identified and pronounced dead on the scene after police received a call around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, reporting that a jet car attempting to break a land speed record crashed in the Alvord Desert in southeastern Oregon.
The cause of Combs’ crash is currently unknown.
HerMythbustersfamily members have beensharing tributesto their late colleague.
“My heart goes out to her family,” he added in another tweet.
“So sorry to hear about Jessi,” wrote formerMythbusterstar Grant Imahara on Twitter. “She was a talented builder and host, and above all, a go-getter.”
Combs’ team member Terry Madden shared aheart-wrenching Instagram postconfirming Combs’ death on Wednesday, saying that he was the first on the scene and that every measure was taken to attempt to save her life.
He added that Combs “dedicated her life to helping support others dreams and I promise I will continue that.”
source: people.com
