A stuntwoman killed on the set of the upcoming Deadpool sequel has been named as Joi “SJ” Harris. Deadpool 2 was Harris's first role as a stunt performer.
Harris, who described herself as "the first licensed African American female road racer in the U.S." online, was killed during filming in Vancouver, Canada on Monday. Reports suggest she crashed into a building after hitting a kerb while riding a bike. Production on the film has been temporarily halted.
The stunt actor was standing in as the Domino character for an action sequence in the superhero sequel. Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, said he was "heartbroken" by her death.
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) August 14, 2017
On her personal website Harris states she began riding motorcycles in Brooklyn and became the first African American woman licensed to actively compete in American Motorcyclist Association races in 2013.
Harris has previously been described as a pioneer encouraging more women and African American people to follow in her footsteps. In 2015 Black Girls Ride magazine said she was "leading the pack in more ways than one".
"I am everything people never saw in this sport," Harris said at the time, explaining that most of her competitors were young, affluent white men.