Taraja Ramsess, a stunt performer who worked on the Marvel franchises “Black Panther” and “Avengers,” died last week in a car crash near Atlanta that also killed three of his children, authorities said .
The accident occurred around 11:45 p.m. Oct. 31 on Interstate 20 in DeKalb County, east of the city, DeKalb County police said. Mr. Ramsess, 41, was driving a Ford F-150 truck eastbound on the highway that runs through the Atlanta metropolitan area.
As he turned onto Wesley Chapel Road, he “collided with a tractor-trailer that had stalled in the left lane,” police said, adding that the cause was under investigation.
Mr. Ramsess; his 13-year-old daughter Sundari; and his 1-month-old daughter, Fuji Bo, were killed, the department said. Mr. Ramsess’s 10-year-old son, Kisasi, and 3-year-old daughter, Shazia, were thrown from the car, WSB-TV, an Atlanta television station, reported last week.
Over the weekend, Akili Ramsess, Mr. Ramsess’ mother and executive director of the National Press Photographers Association, said in a post on Instagram that Kisasi had died. The NPPA said he was withdrawn from life support on November 4.
Shazia’s condition was unclear on Tuesday morning.
“Everyone who knew and met him knows how special Taraja was,” Ms. Ramsess said on Instagram. “He had a deep capacity for love and loved his children more than anything. He loved his martial arts, motorcycles and anything related to filmmaking.”
According to IMDb, Mr. Ramsess began working as a set designer in 2009 and began performing stunts in 2015. His stunt credits include “Bad Boys for Life,” “The Suicide Squad,” “The Harder They Fall,” “Emancipation” and “Creed III.”
Marvel did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
Director Ava DuVernay said on Instagram last week that she had worked with Mr. Ramsess. “He also loved making films and television,” she said. “Have held many positions over the years. Immerse yourself in all aspects of the craft.”
Tony Tucci, a friend who trained Mr. Ramsess in martial arts for nearly a decade, told WSB-TV that he collapsed after hearing the news.
“He was just a great person and we have a great loss to this world,” he said. “It makes you think and gives you a new perspective on everyone we have to call every day because you never know when your last words will be to someone.”
Christine Hauser contributed reporting.