Netflix is calling the deaths of Raymundo Garduño Cruz and Juan Francisco González Aguilar an “unfortunate accident.” The actors died last Thursday (June 16) when a van they were traveling in crashed in Mexico. Cruz and Aguilar were working on the upcoming Netflix series, The Chosen One.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident that took the lives of Ray Garduño and Juan Francisco González,” a Netflix spokesperson said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with their loved ones and with those injured during this unfortunate accident.”
Four other cast and crew members were injured during the crash, which happened on transit to the airport in Santa Rosalía, Baja California. According to one of the survivors, the group heading to the airport were taking a few days off from the production of the series. Cruz and Aguilar were heading home to Tijuana for the week.
“All of us on the production of The Chosen One are shocked by the tragic accident that occurred last Thursday, while on transit from Santa Rosalía, Baja California, to the local airport,” production company Redrum said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleagues Ray Garduño and Juan Francisco González and are closely supporting all those affected by this unspeakable tragedy. Redrum has been cooperating with local authorities and initial reports and accounts from witnesses indicate that all safety protocols were in place, and this was an unfortunate accident.”
Friends of the two men were calling for an investigation into their deaths. According to reports, some of the cast had allegedly complained of logistical and transportation problems during production.
“This is a plea for justice for these deaths,” wrote their friend Rick Zazueta on Facebook. “This was no ordinary accident. The cast had been complaining openly about the logistical and transport issues faced in this production, calling it illogical, unreasonable, ignorant and stupid.”