This happened just minutes from my house.

[Eddie_m63]

Transformers 3' film set turns tragic when an extra is injured
Extra critically injured while shooting 'Transformers 3' in Hammond
September 02, 2010|By Carlos Sadovi and Deanese Williams-Harris, Tribune reporters

It was supposed to be a typical scene in the action movie "Transformers 3" — drivers moving along a busy highway as explosions go off in the opposite lane.

But Wednesday night, while a movie crew was filming on Cline Avenue in Hammond, something went terribly wrong. Gabriela Cedillo, 24, of Chicago, who was working as an extra, was critically injured when a metal object smashed through the windshield of her car and struck her in the head.

The incident happened around 7 p.m. as the movie crew filmed a stunt using numerous vehicles and drivers, according to Indiana State Police.
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After Cedillo was injured, her car continued moving, skidding along the inner median concrete barrier for about a mile before coming to a stop.

A spokeswoman for the "Transformers 3" production did not return phone calls Thursday. But police said a cable pulling some vehicles snapped and a flying object struck Cedillo.

Blaine Baker, who said he was one of about 100 extras on the scene Wednesday, said he and other extras sat in cars on the right shoulder of the road and saw Cedillo's car skid by.

"When the car came by, it was hugging the rail in the middle of the street," said Baker, 59, of Palatine. "We saw it go over the hill and we heard a huge crash. We said, 'Somebody better call the police and ambulance because somebody just got hurt.'"

Cedillo was airlifted to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood with a serious head injury, police said. Police said family members told them she was listed in critical condition.

At the "Transformers 3" shoot, extras were paid minimum wage, plus $25 a day for the use of their car, Baker said.

Cedillo, who is a teller at a bank near her home in the Little Village community, always dreamed of appearing in movies, her family said.

"She always wanted to be an actress," said her brother, Adan.

The manager of the bank where Gabriela Cedillo has worked for about three years said she was thrilled to participate in the film — her first gig as an extra.

"She was just really excited," said Rudy Medina, branch manager of the Second Federal Savings branch.

Medina said people at the bank are praying for her recovery.

Tribune reporters Dahleen Glanton and Liam Ford and WGN-TV's Pat Curry contributed to this report.

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[stack_it]

I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often

[SuperBird]

ive said it a million times, you cant work with transformers. they are like wild animals. something is going to go wrong, somehow, sometime.

im sure decepticon had something to do with it.

[cherrydrpepper]

I have personally had experience with someone with TBI (traumatic brain injury)

Let me tell you.. in most cases it would be easier on everyone involved if they were dead. It comes down to what you believe in.

[DSM4Life]

I have personally had experience with someone with TBI (traumatic brain injury)

Let me tell you.. in most cases it would be easier on everyone involved if they were dead. It comes down to what you believe in.

I totally understand your point.

[ottomaddox]

Sounds like a scene from "The Final Destination." Tradegy. And for minimum wage too.

[Eddie_m63]

Sounds like a scene from "The Final Destination." Tradegy. And for minimum wage too.

No shit, i mean for minimun wage i would rather stay home. But for a lot of people is not about the money but about the opportunity to be part of something like a movie.

[lovbyts]

No shit, i mean for minimun wage i would rather stay home. But for a lot of people is not about the money but about the opportunity to be part of something like a movie.

I can understand that. I would do the extra thing even if it was only $25 for one day. It's not like you are doing it ever day day in and day out, it's only for one day usually. Im sure most of us would do the same. It's not a job, it's an opportunity.

Yeah sh*t happens. At most amusement parks people are hurt all the time, even critically but they are QUICK to cover it up and fix the problem. It happens. Most of the time it's not even bad/poor maintenance it's just something gives out. If it was not for the rules and maintenance it would happen a LOT more than it does.

Isnt part of the thrill rides; Roller coasters and rides like that the thrill is partially because we KNOW it COULD happen. Something COULD go wrong?

I hope she recovers. I also have known people personally who have had SEROUS brain trauma. A couple never made it but a couple did. One good friend after 10 days in a coma came out of it and has recovered 100% That is he recovered. He is not 100% the same as he was. His personally is noticeably different. He is not the same person. If you did not know him before you could not tell but to us it's very noticeably.

Another one was a kid from my church. 12 or 13 at the time. He was kicked by a horse in the head. He was reverted to a 2 yr old and has NEVER gotten past that. He is now a 40 year old toddler.

Ironically BOTH people the injury was due to horses; the first one was thrown from a horse. Did you know serious accidents are 3-1/2 times as common with horses as with motorcycles or bicycles?

[SuperBird]

Did you know serious accidents are 3-1/2 times as common with horses as with motorcycles or bicycles?

my friend was riding a horse, and it reared up high and rolled backwards on him and crushed his pelvic area.

he had it nice and easy for the next two months laying in a comfy hospital bed that was put dead center of his living room in front of the tv. stocked with adequate painkillers and paid medical leave........ he was stuck in a position like he was giving birth with aluminum rods sticking out all over.

his wife wiped his bottom and carted off and cleaned out his potty pan for those two months. the test of love comes in the most romantic ways sometimes.

i know for some of you thats a turn on, but not me.