Midnight Rider Producers Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter; Gregg Allman Ill-Fated Biopic Rolls On

"Midnight Rider," the ill-fated Greg Allman biopic, filmmakers were charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Sarah Jones. Sarah Jones, 27, who was working on the Gregg Allman biopic "Midnight Rider" died during shooting. Seven other crew members were injured.

Prosecutors in Georgia's Wayne County today charged "Midnight Rider" filmmakers Randall Miller, Jody Savin and Jay Sedrish with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass in the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones, 27.

Miller and Savin are the owners of Unclaimed Freight Productions Inc., which was producing "Midnight Rider." Miller is directing the Gregg Allman biopic. The movie was from the Allman's autobiography "My Cross to Bear." Sedrish was the executive producer on "Midnight Rider."

Production on the film was put on hold after Jones' death, but in June Miller and Savin had announced plans to continue shooting in L.A. Crew members were upset that prduction was moving forward. The investigation was still pending when the announcement was made. The crew and boycotted the production company. William Hurt, the lead actor in Midnight Rider, dropped out of the film in April. 

It's been over four months since Jones was fatally struck by a freight train on the set of Midnight Rider. Second camera assistant Sarah Jones was killed near Jessup, Georgia during the first day of shooting "Midnight Rider," The day's shoot was of a dream sequence on a railroad trestle, with a hospital bed on the tracks. Jones was killed when a train came across the bridge. The crew was hit was debris. Jones was knocked into the path of the train by debris from the bed.

The film "Midnight Rider" is based on legendary rocker Gregg Allman's memoir.

Under Georgia law the manslaughter charge carries a potential 10-year prison sentence, the misdemeanor trespass charge carries a potential one-year sentence.
In an announcement on Thurday, July 3, the Wayne County District Attorney's office said the county's grand jury had returned the indictment on Wednesday. The case was presented by Detective Joe Gardner.

The death of Sarah Jones inspired the Hollywood community to find ways to increase safety awareness on shoots.  A "We Are, Sarah Jones" public service video was released earlier this week. Actors held signs and placards reading "We are Sarah," "Safety for Sarah," "Slates for Sarah" and "Never forget, Never Again."