A 9-1-1 crew member died on Saturday in a freeway accident following a 14-hour shift on the ABC procedural.
Rico Priem was a grip and a member of IATSE Local 80. His death was confirmed by the union, as well as the show’s studio, 20th Television.
In a memo to one of the IATSE locals, leadership wrote that Priem had wrapped production around 4 a.m. on Saturday. The accident occurred while he was driving home to Woodland Hills from the shoot location in Pomona.
According to TVLine, California Highway Patrol provided more details on the circumstances of the crash. Officials reported that the accident occurred around 4:27 a.m.
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Priem was reportedly driving north on the 57 Freeway at Via Verde Drive in San Dimas when his vehicle “left the roadway for unknown reasons, went up an embankment and flipped onto its roof. Priem was pronounced dead at the scene.” The cause of the accident is being investigated.
“We are fully committed to the safety and the well-being of all our members and express our heartfelt condolences to the member’s family,” IATSE said in a statement. “Workers have a reasonable expectation that they can get to work and come home safely. No one should be put in unsafe circumstances while trying to earn a living.”
In a statement of his own, IATSE President Matthew D. Loeb added: “Everyone in the IA family is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic loss. We are working to support our member’s family, their fellow members and colleagues. Safety in all aspects of the work our members do is our highest priority and we will assist in any investigation in any way that we can.”
Lengthy production hours have been an ongoing issue that crew members have sought to address for years. Drowsy driving after these shoots have led to a number of accidents, including in 2017 when actor KJ Apa was involved in an accident after filming Riverdale.
IATSE members took up this issue during 2021 contract bargaining, and the union appears to be prioritizing rest periods between shoot days once again during the current negotiations.
“On behalf of the studio and everyone at 9-1-1, we send our sincere and deepest condolences to Rico Priem’s family and friends,” a spokesperson for 20th Television, the show’s studio, said in a statement.
A spokesperson from the AMPTP said in a statement to Deadline: “Our hearts go out to Rico Priem’s family, friends, and all of those who are impacted by this tragic loss of life.”
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The fact that anyone is still having to work 14 hour days should tell you that iatse is failing miserably in its effort to improve working conditions.
This is absurd! I worked on a HBO show where production would pay for hotels overnight and arrange transpo to those hotels if we had long shoot days to prevent this sort of thing. That was great, but it would’ve been even better to GIVE PEOPLE REST AND TIME OFF instead of forcing them to essentially spend the night at work. I hope IATSE stands up for ourselves against this nonsense. Condolences for this poor man’s family and friends.
Fellow gig workers, it’s time to stand up and take action. Our unions alone can’t fight the relentless corporate greed we’re facing. The dream of a 40-hour livable wage feels more distant than ever. MPTF hour requirements are out of reach. Compromise is expected, but all we see is greed.
While executives enjoy dinner at home every night, we spend 14-hour days on set just to scrape by. Workers have a reasonable expectation that they can get to work and come home safely. No one should be put in unsafe circumstances while trying to earn a living. Those working on “9-1-1” are grateful for employment; executives everywhere know this. With this knowledge, they will keep pressuring us into unfavorable agreements.
Over 70% of the DGA is out of work, and similar stories echo across all crafts. The industry is failing us. Executives take the lion’s share of the profits, living well on our creativity. Some say executives lack creativity; I say they created the gig worker, and it’s all downhill from here.
Let’s unite, push back, and demand the respect and fair treatment we deserve. Together, we can make a difference. Your voice matters – join the movement and fight for a better future.
Sadly, not a shock at all Matt Loeb. A 14 hour day is common. Depending on production every week and sometimes several times a week. Add on a 1-2 hour commute home. I can not add up the close calls driving home. And yeah hotels are sometimes offered but some people have families and responsibilities. We shouldn’t have to depend on OT to make a livable wage (and only livable if you don’t have a family to support). It’s BS! Don’t just speak up! Make demands or more people will die. That is a fact! RIP RICO. Condolences to his family.
That show has the worst hours. Day after day, week after week, for months on end, 14 hour days and longer are the norm for that show. RIP Rico, and deepest condolences to his family, friends and co-workers.