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Dunn was known for his death-defying and risky pranks. (Getty Images: Michael Buckner, file photo)
Stunt television show Jackass lost one of its stars overnight when Ryan Dunn, known for his death-defying and risky pranks, died in a car accident.
Police said the accident took place about 2:30am Monday (local time) in West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania, and that Dunn was probably speeding at the time.
An unidentified passenger was also killed.
Dunn's 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 burst into flames after the crash. It was found off the road and in the woods.
"Speed may have been a contributing factor to the accident," the West Goshen Township police department's report read.
"Upon arrival, police located one vehicle off the road and in the woods that was fully engulfed in flames."
A photograph posted to Dunn's Twitter account about two hours before the accident showed him drinking what appeared to be alcoholic beverages with two male friends.
Dunn's Jackass co-star Johnny Knoxville wrote on Twitter after news of the accident broke: "Today I lost my brother Ryan Dunn. RIP Ryan, I love you buddy."
The red-bearded Dunn, 34, appeared in the Jackass television series, which aired on MTV, and the franchise's three films.
"We are devastated by the tragic loss of Ryan Dunn - a beloved member of the MTV family for more than a decade," said Van Toffler, president of the MTV Networks Music/Film Group which broadcast the Jackass series that ran from 2000-2002, before spinning off into a successful film franchise.
"He made us all laugh and had the tireless enthusiastic approach to life of your favourite middle school friend.
"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Ryan's family and friends. The Jackass brotherhood will never be the same."
Dunn was also a cast member of reality television series Viva La Bam, in which most of the Jackass original cast appeared.
More recently, Dunn and Jackass co-star Steve-O teamed up for a June 8 episode of the NBC TV game show Minute To Win It, and hosted the shows Homewrecker (MTV) and Proving Ground (G4 television).
One of his most famous stunts involved inserting a toy car in his rectum and then going to the doctor for an X-ray.
In 2005, Dunn was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and entered a first offender's program that allowed him to clear his record after a certain period of good behaviour, said Patrick Carmody, assistant district attorney in Chester County.
- AFP/Reuters
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