Richard “Rico” Priem, a crew member on the ABC procedural drama “9-1-1,” was killed in a single-vehicle accident in the early hours of May 11 after working a 14-hour overnight shift for the television series.
A spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol’s Baldwin Park station told The Epoch Times that Mr. Priem was traveling northbound on State Route 57 Freeway in the city of San Dimas—located about 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles—when his Toyota Highlander SUV “left the roadway,” went up an embankment, and rolled over onto its roof.
Mr. Priem was pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP officer confirmed. The cause of the crash, which occurred at approximately 4:27 a.m., is still under investigation.
Timothy Moriarty, Mr. Priem’s purported nephew, indicated in a GoFundMe account created to help cover funeral services that the 66-year-old’s recent shift marked his second consecutive 14-hour day working for the production company charged with filming the ABC drama—20th Television, a division of Disney Television Studios.
The Epoch Times contacted ABC and The Walt Disney Company for comment but did not receive a response by press time.
Mr. Moriarty, who called Mr. Priem a “legend in the film & motion picture industry,” noted that his uncle was on the cusp of retiring.
“A heart of gold and a work ethic as strong as a rock, Rico served 30 years in the business with over 75,000 hours under his belt. Filing his paperwork only a few weeks prior, Rico was ready to enjoy his retirement, and planning to still work in the business to keep in contact with all of his friends and loved ones in the industry,” he shared.
Tragic Loss
In a press release issued two days after the car accident, labor union IATSE Local 80—a division of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which represents motion picture grips, crafts service, marine, first aid employees, and warehouse workers—confirmed one of its members had died. However, it did not address Mr. Priem by name.“Early on Saturday morning after working 14 hours of an overnight shift for an episodic television production, a member of IATSE Local 80 died in a tragic freeway accident in Los Angeles. 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 wrote.
“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,” the labor union concluded.
“Everyone in the IA family is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic loss,” the union’s president, Matthew D. Loeb, said 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.”
In November of that year, the UNI Global Union released a report, “Demanding Dignity Behind the Scenes,” outlining a series of recommendations for film and television production companies globally, including working-hour standards.
Tributes Pour In
As the news of Mr. Priem’s untimely passing circulated on the internet, an outpouring of messages from members of the entertainment industry ensued.“The two most dangerous parts of our days are getting to work, and getting home,” she continued. “Please stay safe out there.”
