An announcement from a representative with Unclaimed Freight Productions indicates that Midnight Rider could continue production starting this June. The planned biopic about American rock star Gregg Allman had stalled after an accident on set lead to the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones. William Hurt will star with Tyson Ritter playing a younger Gregg alongside Wyatt Russell as the late Duane Allman.
Sarah Jones died after she was struck by a locomotive while attempting to film a scene on a narrow train trestle. Several other crew members were injured. At this time, director Randall Miller and others at Unclaimed Freight are still under investigation for negligent homicide by the Wayne County, GA sheriff’s office. The IATSE Labor Union claims that Miller did not take proper precautions for a potentially dangerous shoot. Executives at CSX, the company responsible for the railroad, claim that they denied permission to shoot the scene on the trestle.
Michael F. Miller from the IATSE voiced his concern with Unclaimed Freight’s announcement saying, “We have demanded that they provide clearances from any and all governmental agencies and/or police agencies that are investigating this company and the individuals involved.” Randall Miller plans to resume production in Los Angeles and has informed the rest of his crew that the Union will be “significantly” involved. Hopefully Midnight Rider will finish shooting without any further incident.
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