Young execs killed in car crash

Cassel, Meier were victims of drunk driver

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Cassel

Meier

Scott Rudin Prods. vice president Sam Cassel and Red Wagon Prods. vice president Rhiannon Meier were killed when their car was struck by a driver who ran a red light. Cassel and Meier, both 28, died at the scene.

Jose Luis Vargas, the driver whose car struck their Honda Civic, was arrested for driving under the influence and booked on suspicion of murder, according to the LAPD.

Cassel spent six years working for Rudin, prior to which he worked for Broder. Meier had spent a year working for producers Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher. Cassel and Meier were traveling home from a dinner date with friends when their car was struck at Sunset and Gower on Saturday morning at 1 a.m.

"Sam was our friend and colleague, and we loved him enormously," Rudin said. "It is impossible to get our heads around this tragedy, and our hearts go out to the families of Sam and Rhiannon."

Wick and Fisher said: "Rhiannon filled every room with her huge smile, intelligence and enthusiasm, and you could already see the bright lights in her future. We are stunned by her loss, and our hearts go out to her family and friends, for whom she is clearly irreplaceable."

LAPD's West Traffic Division detectives are handling the investigation. No details were forthcoming yet about funeral arrangements.