Rico Priem, 66, died after his vehicle drove off the road northbound on 57 Freeway at Via Verde Drive in San Dimas, California.
The crew member had just come off a 14-hour overnight shift for the television series 9-1-1 and was on his way home.
Just before 4:30 am on Saturday, his Toyota Highlander drove off the road, traveling up an embankment and flipping over onto its roof.
Priem was pronounced dead at the scene as emergency services found his car laying roof down in the right lane.
President Matthew D. Loeb of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Union (IATSE) spoke out about the crew member’s tragic end.
“Everyone in the IA family is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic loss,” he shared in a statement.
“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,” the President continued.
Loeb went on to issue a call to action for any crew members who felt they should need the union’s support.
“If you feel unsafe for any reason, members can call the IATSE Safety Hotline at 844-422-9273 or use our safety info app.”
2oth Television, the studio where 9-1-1 is produced issued its own statement of condolence after confirming Priem’s death with People.
“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,” the studio’s statement read.
‘THIS HAS TO STOP’
An IATSE Script Supervisor and creative in her own right, Emily Blake, took to X to voice her frustration with Priem’s death and the conditions surrounding it.
“Another crew death: Best Boy Grip Rico Priem died in a crash on the way home Saturday morning after working a 14-hour overnight in Pomona on the ABC series 9-1-1,” she explained in the post before issuing her resolution.
“This has to stop,” she concluded.
The IATSE’s statement further supported Blake, noting the necessity of safety for crew members on sets.
“Workers have a reasonable expectation that they can get to work and come home safely,” the statement read.
“No one should be put in unsafe circumstances while trying to earn a living.”
Others rallied behind Blake’s post, calling attention to “inhumane” hours and shows “pushing the limits” to individual’s breaking points.
“I will never understand why these big productions don’t have a rotating crew. Your shift ends, next group comes in…” posted one user.
“Unnecessary and inhumane to have someone work 14-18 hrs non-stop,” they continued.
