Jackass star Ryan Dunn dies in horror crash as $100,000 Porsche flies off road and explodes in fireball after night out drinking
- Posted Twitter picture of himself in a bar hours before crash
- Star's burnt body 'had to be identified by his tattoos'
- Johnny Knoxville leads tributes saying: 'Today I lost my brother'
- Autopsy underway to determine if alcohol play a part
- Dunn was charged with drink-driving offence back in 2005
TV daredevil and Jackass star Ryan Dunn was killed in a horrific high-speed car crash last night.
The 34-year-old died when his sports car flew off the road around 2.30am while he was driving to his home in West Goshen, Pennsylvania, following a night out in a bar with friends.
Police said they found the burning wreckage of his 2007 Porsche 911 GT3, which was capable of reaching 190mph, in the woods off the road fully engulfed in flames.
His body was so badly burnt that he had to be identified by his tattoos, NBC Philadelphia reported.
Dunn was the registered owner of the $100,00 vehicle and was driving at the time, according to police.
A male passenger was also pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are awaiting positive identification before releasing the passenger's identity.
An official report states that a 'preliminary investigation revealed that speed may have been a contributing factor to the accident.'
Just hours before the accident, Dunn tweeted a picture of himself with two male friends, all of whom were holding alcoholic drinks.
Sources told TMZ that Dunn drank at least three light beers and three shots between 10.30pm and 2.10am at Barnaby's of America bar before the accident.
The Chester County Coroner was conducting an autopsy on Dunn this afternoon local time to determine if alcohol played a role in his death, TMZ reported.
An autopsy was also being carried out on Ryan's unidentified male passenger - although there was no indication of when the results would be released.
It emerged today that Dunn was charged with a drink-driving offence six years ago.
Patrick Carmody, the Assistant District Attorney in Chester County, told RadarOnline that the Jackass star was charged with a DUI in 2005.
He told the website: 'In 2005, Dunn was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and entered a first offender's programme that allowed him to clearhis record after a certain period of good behaviour.'
Tire marks at the scene of the fatal crash show where the Porsche careened off the highway, through a metal guardrail and into the woods. Pictures from the scene show the charred remains as a tow truck had to drag the wreckage from the woods.
Today Johnny Knoxville, the leader of the Jackass gang, led the tributes to his former co-star.
He took to Twitter to express his sadness over the loss, saying: 'Today I lost my brother Ryan Dunn. My heart goes out to his family and his beloved Angie.'
He ended the post by saying: 'RIP Ryan, I love you buddy.'
Knoxville later added: 'Please drive safe and wear your seat belt. Ryan Dunn will be missed. God bless.'
Dunn rose to fame as part of the stunt crew for the MTV show Jackass, which ran from 2000 to 2002.
He was working as a welder and part-time at a gas station when Knoxville, a friend of Bam Margera through the skateboarding circuit, asked to use their videos, which became an instant hit.
Dunn, Margera, Christopher Raab (known as Raab Himself) and Brandon DiCamillo, had started making videos that featured them skateboarding and performing stunts under the moniker CKY for 'Camp Kill Yourself', before they found fame through Jackass.
He later featured in Bam Margera's Viva La Bam from 2003 to 2006 as well as all three of the Jackass movies.
Fellow Jackass co-stars also paid tribute to Dunn today.
Stephen 'Steve-O' Glover was too distraught to speak but later tweeted: 'I don't know what to say, except I love Ryan Dunn and I'm really going to miss him.'
Dunn's name began trending on Twitter soon after the news of the crash broke, with fans and celebrities quickly expressing their condolences.
It was Margera's mother, April, who first confirmed Dunn's death by calling into Jackass members Preston Lacy and Steve-O's radio show on WMMR 93.3.
She described him as being like a son to her and said he had even called her on Mother's Day.
A tearful April said: 'We just found out a few hours ago - it is the worst possible news.
'I have not been able to talk with Bam as he is in Arizona but I cannot believe that his friend is dead – I felt like I lost one of my own sons when I heard that Ryan Dunn had died.
'Ryan was a wonderful person he really was the sweetest and nicest guy - he was like my extra son, everybody loved him.'
President of MTV Networks Music/Films Group Van Toffler said in a statement: 'We are devastated by the tragic loss of Ryan Dunn – a beloved member of the MTV family for more than a decade.
'He made us all laugh and had the tireless enthusiastic approach to life of your favourite middle school friend,' the statement continued.
'Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Ryan’s family and friends. The Jackass brotherhood will never be the same.'
'He had a longterm girlfriend and she will be absolutely devastated - she has turned off her phone just now.
'It’s just so sad we cannot believe Ryan has gone - I’m too upset to say anything else just now.'
April said she is 'worried' about her son, adding that he is 'devastated' by the death of his firmed.
Dunn was born in Ohio and moved at age 15 to Pennsylvania, where he met Margera on his first day of high school.
