‘9-1-1’ Crew Member Killed In Car Accident After 14-Hour Overnight Shift

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.

Details on the circumstances of the accident are scarce, though Priem appeared to have been involved in the crash after working an overnight shoot that ended early Saturday morning in Pomona. Deadline has reached out to California Highway Patrol for additional details.

“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.