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A man working on an episodic television series died in a car crash on the 57 Freeway after working a 14-hour overnight shift, according to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
The Woodland Hills man, who was not identified by the California Highway Patrol or IATSE, was involved in a crash on the northbound side of the freeway in San Dimas around 4:30 a.m. Saturday.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the man was 66-year-old Rico Priem, who worked primarily as a grip on several high-profile productions including “Six Feet Under,” “Star Trek,” and the 2021 Marvel film, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”
The CHP crash report indicates that Priem was driving his Toyota Highlander on the 57 Freeway when his vehicle went off the roadway and up an embankment before overturning and coming to a rest on its roof.
Priem was pronounced dead at the scene and the CHP says alcohol is believed to have played a factor in the crash.
Priem was working on the ABC series “9-1-1,” according to fellow filmmakers. Long shifts and late-night commutes are not uncommon in the film industry and IATSE, which is negotiating with the major film studios on a new labor contract, says those issues are among the sticking points in those talks.
Matthew Loeb, the union’s president, offered condolences to Priem’s family and friends and added that crewmember safety in the workplace is a paramount concern for union leadership.
“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,” Loeb said in a release posted to the IATSE website.
Loeb said the union was actively working to support Priem’s family and colleagues navigate the tragic events.
He urged the union’s more than 170,000 members to immediately report unsafe work conditions to the IATSE Safety Hotline.
20th Television, the company that produces “9-1-1,” said in a statement provided to the L.A. Times: ”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 deadly crash remains under investigation by the CHP and anyone with information is asked to contact Office Jones of the Baldwin Park Station at 626-339-1164.
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