Stuntwoman Joi “SJ” Harris, who died on the set of the movie Deadpool 2, crashed on a motorcycle that was more powerful than bikes she was used to riding.
Veteran stunt riders say Harris was “totally unqualified” to perform stunts safely on the powerful Ducati motorcycle she was riding.
Harris died on Monday, August 14, when she lost control of the powerful bike during a stunt on the Deadpool 2 set in Vancouver, British Columbia.
She went airborne and crashed through a plate glass window into the lobby of the Shaw Tower.
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Conrad Palmisano, a veteran stunt coordinator, said Harris was riding a 900cc Ducati bike that was “much bigger, more powerful,” than the 300cc bikes she was accustomed to.
He said the tragedy could have been avoided if a more experienced stunt rider was hired for the job.
Deadpool 2 was Harris’ first movie as a stunt rider. She was hired the week before to double for Zazie Beetz’s Domino character.
Harris was a professional road racer who billed herself as the first black female licensed by the AMA.
Harris was not wearing a helmet because the Domino character didn’t wear one.
Production on the film set resumed on Wednesday in Vancouver.
