The drag racing community is mourning the loss of jet-truck driver Chris Darnell, who died on Saturday, July 2, 2022, following a crash at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival in Michigan.

Darnell, 40, was performing in the Shockwave jet-powered Peterbilt semi amid pyrotechnics when a tire on his rig reportedly failed, sending the vehicle into a series of rolls at a high rate of speed. Police have not officially released a cause for the crash.

The remainder of Saturday's air show was canceled "out of respect for the incident that has occurred," Battle Creek Field of Flight said in a statement. Saturday evening's activities were scheduled to resume at the festival, which runs through Monday.

Event organizers offered in a Facebook post, “We’re sorry we had to cancel the air show portion today, but it was done out of safety and respect.”

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds released a statement shortly after the tragedy.

“We are saddened to hear about the loss of our close friend, and fellow demo performer, today in a tragic mishap during the Field of Flight Air Show in Battle Creek, Michigan,” the statement read. “Chris Darnell, the driver of the SHOCKWAVE Jet Truck, has been performing alongside us for many years and has been a staple of the Air Show community. His love for motorsports and passion for his craft always inspired us and those around him.

“The collective hearts of the U. S. Air Force Thunderbirds are with Chris, his family, his friends, and his entire demonstration team at this time.”