Driver On ‘Ridiculous Six’ Crew Recovering After Near-Fatal New Mexico Crash – Update
UPDATED with more details: A craft services truck driver on Adam Sandler’s Netflix comedy The Ridiculous Six is recovering after nearly being killed in a traffic accident two weeks ago in Santa Fe, NM. “I’m taking it day by day,” Monique Silva told Deadline today from her bed at the University of New Mexico Hospital. “I’m just happy to be here and to get a second chance at life and to fulfill God’s reason for bringing me back.”
The single-vehicle accident happened shortly after noon on February 18 but has gone unreported until now. Silva, 27, was ejected from the truck when it overturned on the road leading to the Santa Fe Municipal Airport after she over-corrected on a sharp turn. Her injuries were so serious she had to be airlifted to the hospital by helicopter, which is an hour’s flight from the crash site.
According to her father George Woodard, Silva suffered a collapsed lung and broke her neck, shoulder, pelvis, jaw and 14 ribs. “They paddled her and brought her back to life after not breathing for five minutes,” he told Deadline. “At the hospital, all the people are calling her the miracle girl,” he said. “She’s moving her limbs” — a good sign that there won’t be any permanent paralysis. He said that his daughter may be alive today because an emergency room doctor happened on the scene shortly after the accident.
A Santa Fe police spokesperson said Silva wasn’t wearing a seat belt and that “it looks as if speed was a factor.” A witness told police that the truck “rolled over approximately four times.” There is no indication that fatigue was a factor, and police say that road conditions were normal. No charges have been filed and alcohol was not a factor. Woodard said it was the first time she’d driven a food catering truck.
Sandler, who had moved the ensemble comedy from Sony to Paramount, relocated Ridiculous Six to Netflix as one of the movies in his groundbreaking four-film deal with the streaming service. The Happy Madison film started production last month in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas, with the state touting the production will employ at least 200 New Mexico crew members and 250 New Mexico actors and local background talent.
“The production company has been great,” said Jon Hendry, business agent of IATSE Local 480, of which Silva is a member. “They were very concerned. They paid her until her workers’ comp kicks in. She worked in our office over the Christmas break and we’re all very fond of her over here.”
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