9-1-1 crew death follows 14 hour work shifts

A crew member on US series 9-1-1 has died in a car crash following after wrapping work at 4am, according to media reports.

The death highlights the risks of fatigue for crew members working long shoots.

Rico Priem, 66, was driving home after a 14-hour day when his Toyota Highlander left the road, went up an embankment, and flipped onto its roof and came to rest on its roof. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Priem had worked two 14-hour days in a row, according to tunion officials.

20th Television expressed its condolences saying, “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.”

“Everyone in the IA family is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic loss,” Matt Loeb, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, also 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.”

IATSE has long raised concerns that long workdays put crew members at risk of falling asleep when they drive home. Brent Hershman, a camera operator, died in 1997 while driving home after a 19-hour day on Pleasantville.

The union won a 54-hour weekend rest period in that contract, which was intended to curb end of week schedules where late Friday shifts run until early Saturday morning.

Source: Variety