Hollywood’s stunt community and motorcycle racers are mourning the death of Joi “SJ” Harris, the stuntwoman killed in a movie set accident in Vancouver, British Columbia.
While filming “Deadpool 2” Monday morning, her first as a stunt performer, Harris lost control of her bike during a stunt, jumped a curb and crashed through a plate-glass window at Shaw Tower.
“She was reportedly treated by ambulance personnel but police said she died at the scene,” said People magazine.
Harris wasn’t wearing a helmet, said several reports, because her character, Domino, didn’t wear one.
An accomplished racer, Harris was saluted by Porsche Taylor, editor of Black Girls Ride magazine.
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the loss of Joi “SJ” Harris,” said Taylor on Facebook. “Joi was an extraordinary woman with a passion for riding and motorsports. 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. We ask that you respect the privacy of her family and friends, as we mourn her loss.”
Deadline reported that production was shut down immediately, “and there’s no word on when filming will resume. It’s the second on-set death in North America in a month; John Bernecker suffered massive head injuries in a fall July 12 on the set of The Walking Dead and died shortly afterward.”
Other coverage and commentary:
The first black woman in road racing, Joi "SJ" Harris, dies while filming stunt for 'Deadpool 2' https://t.co/lSs8mGTOfn pic.twitter.com/VIOYBPVvvL
— Shadow And Act (@shadowandact) August 15, 2017
Video shows Vancouver police on scene after the death of a stunt driver on the Canadian set of 'Deadpool 2.' https://t.co/Z1bLjMmhBu pic.twitter.com/5roLLxiJX7
— ABC News (@ABC) August 15, 2017
Joi Harris became the first Black Woman licensed to compete in AMA races. #BlackGirlMagic May she rest in power💐 pic.twitter.com/Mms0v9jmPa
— Veronica☆ (@FemmeDelChuco) August 15, 2017
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