Special: Two actors were killed and six others, including a Netflix artist and crew member, were injured in the June 16 crash. The chosen oneSurvivor Jere Albelda last talked about the loss of his close friends Raymondo Garduno Cruz and Juan Francisco Gonzalez Aguilar (commercially known as Paco Mufote).
All three were assigned to play miners in the Redrum-produced series. Albelda and Gonzalez began working and living together on June 2; Garduño was the first start date.
Albelda, Garduño, González, and the rest of the crew and crew involved in the accident were heading to Loreto International Airport for a week to take flights to their hometowns – Albelda, Garduño, and Gonzalez. Half break from filming. They returned to the set after leaving work on July 16.
From a total of eight The chosen one The van was carrying: Albelda, Garduno, Gonzalez, two female stunt coordinators, a young actor and his parents, and the driver; Only the driver and the passenger next to him were wearing seat belts. The driver was new and arrived just a day before the set as a replacement for a different driver who needed a brake due to the high traffic demand.
Albelda suffered a head injury in the crash and is unable to recall the tragic ride. Due to amnesia he was under surveillance and has undergone several scans which have all returned to normal. Physically he is caring for a broken clavicle and scapula but none of his injuries have put his life in danger. The doctor has instructed her to rest for 6-8 weeks.
“I remember turning the key in my hotel room that morning to buy burritos on the street because the van was picking us up at 7am and we didn’t have time for breakfast. Then I remembered waking up in the ambulance, ‘he said.
“Inside the van, the setup driver had three rows for the rear passengers and the front passenger seats. I usually sat in the second row, and I believe I was sitting there when the accident happened. I have been told that the van has turned many times and the sliding door is open. This is my guess based on what I have said. [without seatbelts]Pako and Ray were taken out. “
Albelda does not blame Netflix or Redram for the crash and says both have gone up and out to support him later.
“They have done the right thing and are fair,” he said. “It wasn’t like a ticking time bomb where something was going to go wrong at any moment – no. No one could have imagined it would happen. Believe me, I just lost two very good friends whom I have known for many years. If anyone feels responsible, I will speak up for justice for their family.
Albelda has worked on about five major products, including The Walking Dead, He says the vans used in all of them are in comparable condition. He describes the vans used The chosen one “Made in 2022 not brand new but definitely not old.” He says there was nothing to worry about as he was worried about the van he was boarding at the airport but he also notes that he is not a mechanic and is not aware of any mechanical problems.
“I had to visit the van storage area by accident to claim any property I had recently left. Looking back and how it was destroyed had a big impact on me,” Albelda said. “Some people have suggested that the tires may have been overturned, so I made sure to look at the condition of all four people in particular and those people are wrong. The wheels were in really good condition.
He added, “One thing I would like to say is that no one encouraged the occupants of the van to wear seat belts. Only the driver and front passenger used seat belts continuously. To be clear, there were seat belts in the vans, but rarely did anyone use them. I say to myself that I never did. I always felt safe in the van and I could not have imagined that such a terrible accident could happen. “
Most of the injured, except Albelda and a female stunt coordinator, were discharged from the hospital the same day and were being monitored. The stunt coordinator recently told Albelda that she was being cared for at a hospital near her home.
Work The chosen one Resuming on Monday, Albelda decided to support his friends as a tribute. He has decided to leave the series due to physical and emotional injuries. The product covers his medical bills, and Albelda says he will pay her as if he had worked until the end.
Albelda has been accused of behind-the-scenes poor working conditions and shady business practices The chosen one. One outspoken critic is novelist Rick Jazuetta, who claims to have insight into the production, thanks to insider sources.
Albelda says Zazueta recently sent her a friend request on Facebook, which she accepted but made it clear that she had never met him before the accident or that he did not know her.
“I read his allegations and found them very interesting,” Albelda shared. “I have never spoken to him and I do not know who his sources are. I can only speak of my experience as a person who has worked on many products of this size. Yes, they are tired, and we work long hours. I don’t know, my experience is different because I’m used to working 16 hours a day, but everything The chosen one As was the case with my experience on the show The Walking Dead. This was normal business for me. My biggest complaint is that sometimes we are taken to pick up the set at 9am but we don’t shoot until 2pm but that is the equivalent for the course of this business.
He continued, “Shooting schedule was mostly on Flux because if someone had to be isolated due to covid infection, we have to pivot on something else. My grievances are small. I never felt my life was in danger or my advantage was taken away. I want to complain or quit production. I was promised and when it was promised I was paid. I know we do less than American artists but I never lied about what I would be paid. I was not abused or exploited in any way I do not think so. I am not saying that this is not the case with anyone else.
Netflix declined to comment on the story.
Albelda and other friends from Garduno and Gonzalez gathered Tuesday afternoon for a memorial service in honor of the artists. It was an emotional gathering celebrating two esteemed people who left family, friends and fans after giving their lives and their art for a lifetime.
“Both are longtime friends of the theater with whom I have spent a lot of time – both good and bad. We went on tour together and we all know each other’s family,” said Albelda. I never posted pictures on the set because we signed the NDA which prevents spoilers from coming out. But Ray, as a rebel, liked to be on the set and he posted some photos anyway. He was very proud to be working in this production. He had a lot of soul. When we had a holiday, he would hit the local bars or listen to music in the pool.
“I remember Ray and I first met in 2015. We collaborated on three projects through his theater company, Titro Immigrant,” Albelda continued. “Through her company, she worked a lot with the kids, and I remember it was very important to her that the young actors be treated professionally. She worked with a lot of talented actors who were smart; He did not want to be underestimated. He also raised issues of social justice in his work. We were talking about his character in his memory yesterday. He was also very generous and wanted everyone to be successful. You always knew where you stood with him.
“Paco and I met at the first theater audition. I want everyone to know that his stage name Mufote represents his three biggest passions: music, photography, and theater. The most important thing about Paco is his generosity, his empathy, and how humble he was. He treated everyone from extras to the stars no matter what project he was involved in. When we were shooting in Santa Rosalia, he hated being trapped inside a hotel. He would teach us everything we wanted to follow. He wanted a mature knowledge.
Personal courtesy
He added, “A photo of Paco’s birthday on Instagram shows how he wanted to celebrate the next year of Paco’s life. A simple gathering between friends, he doesn’t want to party or drink. I remember an example when we were shooting a scene in the desert, and He gave his umbrella to someone who needed it more.
This tragedy has not discouraged Albelda from continuing to act as an actor, in fact, it has prompted him to work so hard that the two great Thespians he admired no longer have that opportunity.
“His death is tragic but I would like to express my condolences to his family for the fact that he was doing his favorite thing. “I was given the gift of living and I took it lightly. I want to continue acting and honor Pako and Rey by sharing everything they have taught me. I will share the dream of the rest of my life with them.”