K.J. APA, star of “Riverdale,” was involved in a late-night car crash last week after a grueling 16-hour work day outside Vancouver, prompting the cast and crew of the hit CW show to demand better safety protections during production.

Apa, 20, who plays Archie in the Warner Bros.-produced Archie Comics adaptation, apparently fell asleep driving the 45-minute trip home after midnight. He was taken to a local hospital for observation and later discharged without serious injuries. His car, however, didn’t fare as well. The passenger side was apparently destroyed after striking a light pole, and the vehicle was rendered inoperable.

The crash has ignited a firestorm of protest on the “Riverdale” set. The show routinely requires shoots that last until the early morning hours, and the cast and crew are not provided transportation to and from the set. Cole Sprouse, who co-stars as Archie’s pal Jughead and is one of Apa’s close friends, had apparently planned to be in the car as well that night but changed plans at the last minute. Sprouse, a leader of sorts of the actors on the show, has asked that the Greg Berlanti-produced series provide transportation to castmembers working late hours.

A call between representatives for the actors and Warner Bros. executives is being set for Friday to discuss the issue, according to sources.

SAG-AFTRA announced Thursday afternoon that the union would investigate the set in Vancouver following the dangerous crash. “This is an extremely troubling situation and we are deeply concerned about the safety of performers on the ‘Riverdale’ set,” the statement read.

WBTV’s policy is that actors are responsible for their own transportation to and from set, particularly when production is shooting outside the United States. The studio, which makes several shows in Vancouver, declined to comment, but a source notes that actors are told they can call a taxi or stay in a hotel near a set on the studio’s dime if they feel it is unsafe to drive.

(SD-Agencies)