http://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/recording-artist-gregg-allman-performs-at-the-pearl-concert-news-photo/451020574
The director and two of the producers behind Midnight Rider, a biopic of Allman Brothers principle member Gregg Allman, have been indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass. The charges stem from a fatal train crash that ended in the death of a crew member.
As The Los Angeles Times reports, a grand jury in Georgia indicted director Randall Miller, along with producer Jody Savin and executive producer Jay Sedrish who were behind the CBGB film, on Thursday, 3rd July. If convicted, the three filmmakers could face a prison sentence of 10 years.
The cast and crew of the film, which was to star All-American Rejects frontman Tyson Ritter as a young Allman, were filming on a railroad bridge in Georgia in February when a train came down the tracks unexpectedly. Camera assistant Sarah Jones was struck and killed, six others were injured.
As Rolling Stone reports, Jones’ parents filed a civil suit against the filmmakers and Gregg Allman in May. Jones’ father said he and his wife would continue to fight for safer working conditions on film sets. “Elizabeth and I are comfortable that the authorities were both careful and meticulous in investigating and bringing charges related to the incident that took our daughter’s life,” he said.
Production on the film has been suspended in the wake of the accident. Actor William Hurt, who was to play an older Gregg Allman, subsequently dropped out of the project and in April, Gregg Allman himself asked Miller not to move forward with the film, even filing a lawsuit he later dropped.
All of us on the production team are devastated by the tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of our crew member.
— Midnight Rider (@AllmanBiopic) February 22, 2014
