Few celebrity deaths hit like Ryan Dunn’s. The Jackass star, known for gleeful chaos on screen, died in a fiery crash on June 20, 2011, that official reports immediately pegged as a drunk driving accident. His blood alcohol level was more than double Pennsylvania’s legal limit, and his car was estimated to be traveling between 132 and 140 mph. This article digs into the confirmed facts of what happened that night, who was with him, and how the tragedy reshaped the lives of his closest friends.

4 related posts

Age at death: 34 ·
Date of death: June 20, 2011 ·
Speed at crash: 130 mph (estimated) ·
Blood alcohol level: 0.196% (over twice legal limit)

Quick snapshot

1Cause of Death
2Passenger
  • Zachary Hartwell, production assistant (ABC News)
  • Both died instantly (ABC News)
3Reactions
  • Johnny Knoxville: “He was a brother” (ABC News)
  • Bam Margera devastated, later spiraled (ABC News)
4What’s unclear
  • Exact speed at impact (ABC News)
  • Whether Hartwell knew Dunn had been drinking (ABC News)

Six confirmed facts, one pattern: the official record is clear on alcohol and speed, but several details remain open to interpretation.

Label Value
Full Name Ryan Matthew Dunn
Born June 11, 1977
Died June 20, 2011
Age at Death 34
Cause of Death Drunk driving accident
Vehicle Porsche 911 GT3
Why this matters

Dunn’s crash is not just a celebrity tragedy — it’s a case study in how extreme speed and alcohol interact, with consequences that are both immediate and lasting for everyone involved.

What was the official cause of Ryan Dunn’s death?

Was Ryan Dunn intoxicated when he died?

  • According to the toxicology report from the Chester County Coroner (ABC News, quoting the coroner), Dunn’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.196% — more than twice Pennsylvania’s legal limit of 0.08%.
  • The coroner did not detect any drugs of abuse in Dunn’s system, per the police release quoted by ABC News.

Who was driving the car when Ryan Dunn died?

  • Police confirmed that Ryan Dunn was the driver of the 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 (ABC News, citing the police).
  • The car jumped a guardrail, traveled through trees, and burst into flames after impact.

The implication: The official record left no ambiguity about who was behind the wheel or how much alcohol was in Dunn’s system.

Who was in the car with Ryan Dunn when he died?

Who was Zachary Hartwell?

  • The passenger was Zachary Hartwell, a 30-year-old production assistant who had worked with Dunn on the Jackass films (ABC News, identifying Hartwell).
  • Both men died instantly from injuries sustained in the crash.

The crash claimed two lives instantly, leaving no chance for survival. The pattern: Dunn’s reckless decision behind the wheel ended not only his own life but also that of an innocent colleague.

How fast was Ryan Dunn going when he died?

What was the speed limit on the road where the crash occurred?

  • Police investigators estimated Dunn’s speed between 132 and 140 mph based on physical evidence (ABC News, quoting police).
  • The posted speed limit on that segment of Route 322 in Chester County was 55 mph (YouTube retrospective analysis).
  • The car jumped a guardrail, ripped through trees, and burst into flames.

What this means: Dunn was traveling at more than double the legal limit, a speed that made any evasive maneuver virtually impossible.

How did Bam Margera react to Ryan Dunn’s death?

“I can’t even comprehend it… Ryan was the only one who truly understood me.”

— Bam Margera, in a later interview

What happened to Bam Margera after Ryan Dunn died?

  • Bam Margera expressed profound grief and credited Dunn as his best friend and career catalyst (ABC News).
  • He struggled with depression and substance abuse in the years following the crash, eventually entering rehab and facing legal troubles.
Aftermath

Margera’s decline after Dunn’s death illustrates how the loss of a close friend can trigger a cascade of personal crises, even years later.

The consequence: Dunn’s death sent his closest collaborator into a downward spiral that the Jackass crew could not fully prevent.

What did Johnny Knoxville say about Ryan Dunn’s death?

“He was my brother. I loved him very much.”

— Johnny Knoxville, public statement after Dunn’s death
  • Johnny Knoxville called Dunn a brother and expressed shock and sorrow (ABC News).
  • Knoxville and other Jackass members attended Dunn’s funeral on June 24, 2011.

The takeaway: Knoxville’s public grief, combined with Margera’s private devastation, showed how deeply the loss cut through the entire Jackass family.

TL;DR: Ryan Dunn’s drunk-driving crash killed him and passenger Zachary Hartwell. The official record confirmed a BAC of 0.196% and speeds above 130 mph. The tragedy shattered his closest friends, especially Bam Margera, who later spiraled into addiction.

Related reading: David Lynch Cause of Death, Films, Controversies: Biography · Verne Troyer: Life, Death, and Legacy of the Mini-Me Actor

Additional sources

youtube.com, drazinandwarshaw.com

Don't miss these

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Ryan Dunn’s net worth?

At the time of his death, Ryan Dunn’s net worth was estimated at around $5 million, largely from his work on Jackass and Viva La Bam.

Did Ryan Dunn have any children?

No, Ryan Dunn did not have any children. He was not married at the time of his death.

What type of car was Ryan Dunn driving?

He was driving a 2007 Porsche 911 GT3.

Where exactly did the crash occur?

The crash happened on Route 322 in West Goshen Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Was the crash ruled accidental?

Yes, the crash was officially ruled an accident caused by drunk driving and excessive speed.

Why did the Jackass crew not prevent the spiral?

Despite their support, Bam Margera’s personal struggles with grief and addiction worsened, leading to multiple rehab stints and legal issues.