On June 20th, 2011 in West Goshen Township, Chester County, PA we lost two of the greatest people on earth, Ryan Matthew Dunn and Zachary Daniel Hartwell. They died in a car crash around 2:30 am on their way home from the bar.
For those who don’t know, Ryan Dunn is a member of the Jackass crew who also starred in different things like Viva La Bam, Haggard, Proving Ground, Gumball 3000, and more. He lived in West Chester, PA but after the crash was taken back to his home state of Ohio to be buried. Age 34 at the time of the crash.
Zachary Hartwell is a good friend of Ryan Dunn who was also a production assistant on the set of the movie Jackass Number Two. He had been married to his wife for only 8 short months at the time of the crash. He also is a Navy Seal veteran. Age 30 at the time of the crash.
This is the last photo of the two of them alive. Taken the night of the crash. (Ryan on the left and Zachary on the right):
Yes, they were both drinking before they drove home. In fact, they drank a lot that night. Ryan was also speeding but you can’t hold that against the two of them. Everyone makes mistakes in life, this one, however, just happened to be fatal.
This post is dedicated to Ryan Dunn and Zachary Hartwell on June 20th, 2012 as a mark of the one year anniversary of their deaths. However, I don’t know much about Zachary so I will focus on Ryan.
“We all knew it was destined for failure at the get-go. But we kept doing it ‘cause we’re stupid.”
Where do I even begin? Both of these men were funny, smart, caring, brave, loving, and so much more than words can explain. It’s hard to think that they were both taken from the world at the same time without any kind of warning.
There hasn’t been a single day in the past year where they haven’t crossed my mind. Where Ryan hasn’t failed to make me smile, laugh, or even cry. They left us with the best of memories and that’s more than we could ask for.
“I’m Ryan Dunn, and I’m surrounded by morons.”
One of the best things about Ryan is hands down his smile and his laugh. Seriously, every time I see the man smiling I can’t help but break out in a grin. Same with his laugh.
Just look at that. It’s adorable. And infectious.
“I’m surrounded by cacti, for fuck’s sake… IT’S CACTI!”
Personally, Ryan Dunn inspires me every single day and I know he does the same to so many others out there. He was just a nice person all around that that’s amazing. Out of all the stories I’ve heard or read of people meeting him I don’t think I’ve ever heard a bad one. He was nice to everyone he met and without fail managed to put on a smile for them. He pulled himself out of a dark depression because he knew he couldn’t dwell on his injury forever and to me, that is admirable. Just knowing that he managed to do that all by himself makes me inspired to do the same thing in my life. If he can do it, I can do it.
“Don’t buy a car made by Dolce and Gabbana and you’re set.”
They touched the lives of so many people and no matter how much time passes, they will never, ever be forgotten. Through tattoos, drawings, paintings, posts like these, DVDs, Radio Bam, memories, photos, and everything else the world will in fact always remember Ryan Matthew Dunn and Zachary Daniel Hartwell.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of these two amazing men. They have suffered a huge loss and I really wish I could just hug them today.
“I have to be horrible at everything or else it wouldn’t be me.”
If you have time today watch a Jackass movie, or Viva La Bam, or something with Ryan in it. My recommendation is Jackass Number Two since Zach was the production assistant in that one. If you have all day then watch what you can! If you can find the tribute then I, personally, would watch that.
“I’m not running anywhere with a toy car shoved up my butt.”
Rest in peace Ryan Dunn and Zachary Hartwell. You brought so much to the world and left it a lot sooner than you should have. You touched the lives of every person who had the chance to meet you and even those who didn’t. We will forever hold you in our hearts and you will never be forgotten. We love and miss you both.
June 11th, 1977- June 20th, 2011
1981- June 20th, 2011
“I’ve accomplished everything I wanted out of life, like way beyond my wildest dreams. Anything from here on is just icing. Seriously, if you find out that I died tomorrow, I’m fine. Don’t be sad for me, because I’m not sad. I died with a smile on my face.”
Rest in peace Random Hero
