An autopsy report revealed that 66-year-old Rico Priem, a crew member of the television series 9-1-1, suffered a fatal heart attack preceding a car crash in Los Angeles last month. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed the cause of death on Tuesday, June 18, closing the case on an incident that stunned the local entertainment industry.
Rico Priem, employed by ABC’s 9-1-1 as a grip and member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 80, died in the early hours of May 11 when his Toyota Highlander veered off a Los Angeles freeway. The vehicle, having traveled for 20 minutes after Priem’s shift ended at around 4:30 a.m., collided with a tree and overturned. Despite initial concerns, the autopsy indicated “no fatal traumatic injuries,” clearing any uncertainty regarding the sequence of events that led to Priem’s untimely death.
Toxicology results supported the medical examiner’s findings, as no alcohol or drugs were detected in Priem’s system. The absence of these substances has shed light on the physical demands and possible repercussions long working hours have on industry workers.
Source: Us Weekly
