A beloved veteran studio director died early Saturday in a car accident after working a 14-hour night shift on the television series “9-1-1.”
Rico Priem, 66, who worked on productions such as “Six Feet Under,” “Deadwood” and “American History X,” was driving home from the Pomona set of “9-1-1” when he was involved in a accident with a single vehicle. Accident around 4:30 am. California Highway Patrol officials said his car left the road, went up an embankment and then overturned on the road. Authorities said the investigation was ongoing, but police at the scene said alcohol was a “suspected factor.”
The death prompted many of Priem's colleagues, along with their union, IATSE Local 80, to call for safer working conditions for film and television crews, noting that driving home after night shifts is dangerous and a routine part of from work.
“Workers have a reasonable expectation of being able to go to work and return home safely. “No one should be placed in dangerous circumstances while trying to earn a living,” IATSE said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Priem's colleagues took to social media to remember Priem as a warm, funny and skilled crew member, and to express their hurt and anger.
“We have to make our industry better and safer,” one man wrote on Facebook.
Nina Moskol, also a fan of “9-1-1,” which airs on ABC, wrote on Facebook that she had worked with Priem in the days before his death, and that he had told her that he was preparing to retire and that Looking forward to spending more time with his wife and great nephew.
He called Priem's death a “traumatic loss” and cited grueling work schedules and urged his crewmates to drive safely and accept hotel rooms if they felt tired instead of rushing home.
IATSE is currently in contract negotiations with studios, and working conditions and long shifts are among the issues being discussed.
In a statement, 20th Century Television said: “On behalf of the studio and everyone at 9-1-1, we send our sincere and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Rico Priem.”
