Kenneth Marion Powers born on July 9 1947 in Landrum South Carolina lived a highoctane life fueled by drugs debauchery and deathdefying stunts He served in the US Navy after completing high school He was an American stuntman recognized for a notable yet unsuccessful feat In October 1979 he gained attention for stepping in for stuntman Ken Carter in an illfated endeavour to leap over the Saint Lawrence River using a rocketpowered Lincoln Continental Powers who had never driven a rocket car before broke his wrist three ribs eight vertebrae and Carters heart Kenny Powers survived however he struggled with problems due to alcohol and drug abuse his whole adult life He passed away on February 28 2009 at the Hampton Veterans Center in Hampton Virginia leaving behind his wife Beverly Powers