MICHIGAN (Washington Insider Magazine) – On Saturday, a jet-powered semi truck was involved in a horrific collision in Michigan, killing the driver, according to authorities.
Chris Darnell, 40, was driving the Shockwave Jet Truck when it sped through by an explosion and seemed to be in flames, generating a stream of smoke and wreckage seen on video. Battle Creek law enforcement officers identified the victim as Chris Darnell.
Uncertainty surrounded whether the initial eruption of flames, which produced a cloud of black smoke, was a component of the annual Battle Creek Field of Light Air Show and Balloon Festival’s anticipated show. The event is advertised on the state’s website, which also mentions that it will involve “pyro and the WALL OF FIRE.”
According to NBC NEWS, the disaster occurred as the truck was speeding down a runway at the Battle Creek Executive Airport while 2 prop aircraft were performing aerial feats and flying low above it.
Neal Darnell, Darnell’s father, attributed the tragedy to mechanical malfunction in a Facebook post on the Jet Truck page.
According to the International Council of Air Shows, the late Les Shockley, considered the inventor of jet trucks, constructed the vehicle, which has been driven by the Darnell family since 2012. According to the council, the car is built on a Peterbilt from 1985 and is propelled by 3 J-34 jet engines.
According to reports, the semi truck can go faster than 300 mph. Chris Darnell claimed to be the holder of the 375 mph jet truck speed record, which his squad’s Flash Fire jet-modified truck allegedly set in Florida in 2005.
Following the incident, which was reported just after 1 p.m. on Saturday, no more injuries were reported.
The remainder of the day’s air show had been canceled, according to police, but the remainder of the festival’s events will go on as planned through Monday.
Fireworks and musical acts are also part of the celebration.
The incident and its cause were under investigation, according to Battle Creek police, fire, and the Federal Aviation Administration.
