Battle Creek, Michigan-Official officials have identified Chris Darnell, 40, as a victim of a severe accident at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival with video of the jet truck crash viral
According to Battle Creek police, at around 1:10 pm on Saturday, July 2, Darnell was driving a shockwave jet truck at 300 mph on the runway at Battle Creek Executive Airport when a fatal accident occurred.
Chris Darnell Dies During Battle Creek Air Show 2022 Jet Truck Crash, Video Of Accident Goes Viral
Shockwave Jet Truck crashes at a Michigan air show, killing driver. >> https://t.co/ebThNVqoWa — Chris Darnell, 40. Shockwave has roots in the Joplin-Area. Most recently based near Springfield, Mo. @koamfox14 #joplinnewsfirst #shanbecker #shockwavejettruck pic.twitter.com/bBb2Ny7GY9
— Joplin News First (@JoplinNewsFirst) July 3, 2022
Horrifying accident at the Field of Flight air show in Battle Creek. Awaiting an official press release. More tonight on @wwmtnews pic.twitter.com/nQ9WOB39AW
— Andy Pepper (@APepperWWMT) July 2, 2022
The airshow community lost a legend today. Chris Darnell and the shockwave jet truck provided endless entertainment and excitement every time he’d visit the homecoming Airshow at the end of the year. You’ll be forever remembered Chris.
📸2019 Blue Angels Homecoming pic.twitter.com/o4RmLfrMTi
— Matt_Brost (@mbrostphotos) July 2, 2022
Police did not provide any further information about the death.
The performance video shows Darnell driving past a runway explosion. After that, his truck ignites and appears to be rolling. The Battle Creek Fire Department, Battle Creek Police Department, and Federal Aviation Administration were investigating the crash on Saturday.
After Darnell’s death, messages of condolence flooded social media.
“SHOCKWAVE Jet Truck driver Chris Darnell has been playing with us for many years and is an integral part of the air show community. His love for motorsport and his passion for technology has always been with me. It has inspired us and the people around him, “said the Air Force Thunderbirds in a post.
Ohio’s Summit Motorsports Park has nominated Darnell as his son, brother, husband, father, and popular entertainer.
“I’m sorry I had to cancel part of the air show today, but it was done with safety reasons and respect,” the festival organizer said in a Facebook post. According to a biography on the team’s website, Chris Darnell is involved in “lifetime” motorsport, competing in a variety of race formats “from drag racing to circle tracks.”
“He literally did everything,” Bio reads.
In addition to drag racing, Darnell also owned a four-wheel customs office for a truck accessory company. He shared his driving duties with his father Neil on both Flash Fire and Shockwave jet trucks.
Saturday night activities will continue, including live music and one of the state’s largest fireworks shows. The five-day festival will run until Monday, July 4th.
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