Terry Madden Posts Heartbreaking Photos In Memory Of Girlfriend Jessi Combs, Who Died In A Racing Accident
She was the love of his life.
instagram Individuals who partake in race car driving always live fast. Because they are professionals, we never imagine they could lose their lives doing what they’re best at. But that’s the trade off they must accept when they literally put their lives on the line.
Unfortunately, these athletes and racers don’t come out the other end alive. And that’s exactly what happened to Jessi Combs. On August 28, Combs was killed in a crash of a jet-powered high-speed race car in Oregon. She was attempting to beat her own four-wheel land speed record.
Known as the “Fastest Woman on Four Wheels,” Combs was also a metal fabricator and television personality and made appearances on several series, including Xtreme 4x4, Overhaulin', Mythbusters, The List: 1001 Car Things To Do Before You Die, All Girls Garage, and How to Build... Everything.
In the wake of her death, former cast members, friends and family expressed their grief and made heartbreaking posts on social media. And one of those people was Terry Madden.
Who is Terry Madden? Not only was Madden Combs’ boyfriend of several years, but he was also her North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger teammate. And coping with his loss has led to Madden sharing special memories of his girlfriend and keeping her memory alive.
He’s posted several pictures on Instagram, reminiscing about the good times with Combs and her impact on him. In one post, he recalled the best night of his life, which he spent with Combs by his side.
“Not sure how to cope. I miss my @thejessicombs so bad.... It’s a constant for me to be in our favorites file on my phone looking at our pictures. I decided this morning to start sharing the stories that go with these every morning.
This was the single greatest night of my life, we had more fun than I knew, it was possible to have. Didn’t drink a drop and on the greatest pure happiness high ever, we laughed we loved and we never said a word.
Halloween last year @semashow in Vegas. We made a bet before leaving the room on who talked first. For 5 hours we never said a word, and we knew exactly what the other was thinking, the connection was so amazing. We saw all of our friends and fans and acted out together as the perfect team as if we had rehearsed it our whole life — knowing exactly what the other was thinking to talk with people. It was that night and the next morning we laid and talked and realized how truly connected we were and how amazing it was we knew what the other was thinking at most times.
There is still a really upset cab driver out there someplace that got to see the greatest 5 min charade of us acting out west gate hotel on the sidewalk because we wouldn’t talk — held character the entire night... he was pissed and we laughed until our cheeks hurt!!!”
In a second post, Madden wrote about the special connection they shared and how Combs’ attitude was always so positive, speaking to the person she truly was.
“So first I have to explain #rememberthattime we used to always talk about our memories and #rockingchairstories that we would sit around at nursing home and say ‘remember that time’ and everyone would listen because we would have the best stories... Then it became a joke that right in the middle of something rad one of us would say remember that time noting that we were in middle of something epic and memorable.
So this one ‘the NOT so Grand Canyon’ we were on a road trip rolling thru Albuquerque one night and I asked her how far she wanted to go she said she wanted to watch the sun rise over the Grand Canyon as she did many times as a kid. We pulled into the Grand Canyon 3am ish around the gate and snuck into the camping. We were in chase 5 — threw up the rooftop tent and got ready for bed. We had laid there 3-4 minutes when she asked how far you think we are from it?
I opened my maps and saw a little blue line about 3/4 mile away. I said it’s just over there... she says you sure? And Mr. confident me says yah of course see river... river equals canyon. She jumps up bails out of tent and says let’s go? Me: now? Her: duh lol and runs off into dark. I’m trying to throw my pants on take off after her into the trees. We walk by cell phone light 3/4 mile thru the trees to my blue line, all the while her asking if I’m sure? And me in my best military nav voice saying ‘babe I got this.’
About this time we walk right up to the rim in the dark of the NOT SO GRAND CANYON about 2’ deep 2’ wide ditch with a small stream running thru it. I’m embarrassed bad — zoom map out and realize giant blue river line opposite direction from camp and this is tiny stream... she laughed and laughed and we laid on ground and watched the stars and fell asleep on top of my jacket beside the not so Grand Canyon. We woke up just before sunrise and ran back to truck, grabbed a blanket she was freezing and on to the real Grand Canyon, watched the sunrise and hauled ass... @thejessicombs was so magic at turning a mistake into a possibility!”
In a recent story on Instagram, Madden opened up and revealed he was still struggling with his grief, but was trying to stay positive, as Combs would have. “Morning! I’m not able to put a good in front of that but I am able to get out of bed and keep pushing. She loved watching the sun rise,” he captioned the post.
He also posted several other videos and pictures, remembering moments he shared with Combs and how he knew she was the one for him.
Though Combs’ death is incredibly tragic and a great loss to all who knew her, hopefully Madden and her family can find comfort in carrying on her memory.
Samantha Maffucci is an editor for YourTango who focuses on writing trending news and entertainment pieces. In her free time, you can find her obsessing about cats, wine, and all things Vanderpump Rules.