The stuntwoman killed on the “Deadpool 2” set on Monday has been identified as Joi “SJ” Harris, her Facebook page has confirmed.
Harris, a native of Brooklyn, New York, was performing a motorbike stunt on the Vancouver, Canada, set of the sequel to last year’s action hit starring Ryan Reynolds.
On her website, Harris is described the first African-American female road racer in U.S. history.
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the loss of Joi ‘SJ’ Harris. Joi was an extraordinary woman with a passion for riding and motorsports,” a statement posted to her Facebook page on Tuesday said. “She was known for her beautiful spirit and bubbly personality.
“She was fearless and relentless in her pursuit of her dream, to ride as a motorsports professional. Joi will be remembered for her ground breaking career as the first African American female road racer. She was living her dream, when her life was suddenly cut short while filming as a stunt rider. She will be dearly missed by her race fans all over the world,” it continued. “We ask that you respect the privacy of her family and friends, as we mourn her loss.”
The fatal accident occurred at Jack Poole Plaza in Vancouver, where filming on “Deadpool 2” has taken place since late June and where motorcycle stunts had been filmed over the last few days. After completing a stunt over several takes, Harris reportedly lost control of her motorcycle and crashed through a building window. According to CTV News Vancouver, paramedics stayed at the scene for approximately 45 minutes before driving off with the stunt woman without turning on its sirens.
Local police and officials from WorkSafeBC, which probes all workplace fatalities in British Columbia, are still investigating the incident. The death comes a day after Tom Cruise injured himself while filming a stuntin London for “Mission: Impossible 6,” and a month after a stuntman died in an accident on the set of “The Walking Dead.”
Reynolds released a statement via Twitter expressing his grief over the accident.
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) August 14, 2017
Earlier on Monday, director David Leitch offered his condolences. “I’m deeply saddened by the loss of one of our stunt performers today,” Leitch said in a statement. “No words can express how I and the rest of the ‘Deadpool 2’ crew feel about this tragedy. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and loved ones in this difficult time,” he said.