Midnight Rider (film)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production |
| Founder | Randall Miller, Jody Savin, Brad Rosenberger |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Parent | Unclaimed Freight Productions |
Midnight Rider, alternatively titled Midnight Rider: The Gregg Allman Story, was an American biographical drama film project that was ultimately cancelled. The film was directed and co-written by Randall Miller alongside Jody Savin, with the script adapted from singer Gregg Allman's memoir My Cross to Bear. Miller and Savin also took on producing duties. The cast included William Hurt, Tyson Ritter, Zoey Deutch, Eliza Dushku, and Wyatt Russell.
Production commenced on February 20, 2014, on an active railroad trestle bridge spanning the Altamaha River in Wayne County, Georgia. During filming, second assistant camerawoman Sarah Jones tragically lost her life after being hit by a CSX freight train; seven additional crew members sustained injuries. Filming was halted immediately following the incident, prompting several investigations. Legal charges were brought against Miller, Savin, executive producer Jay Sedrish, and first assistant director Hillary Schwartz, including involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass. In March 2015, Miller pleaded guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing, receiving a ten-year sentence with one year served plus probation. Sedrish entered a plea deal resulting in probation, while charges against Savin were dismissed as part of the agreement.
The production company behind Midnight Rider was Film Allman LLC, established in Georgia by Miller, Savin, and Brad Rosenberger. Their California-based parent entity is Unclaimed Freight Productions. Following the fatal accident, the U.S. Department of Labor issued citations against the production for willful and serious safety violations.
Cast
- William Hurt portrayed Gregg Allman
- Tyson Ritter played young Gregg Allman
- Zoey Deutch appeared as Mae
- Eliza Dushku took on the role of Rita
- Wyatt Russell depicted Duane Allman
- Bradley Whitford acted as Michael Lehman
- Joel David Moore portrayed Bill McEuen
- Chad Lindberg appeared as Joseph L. Campbell
- Charles S. Dutton played Chank Middleton
- Aldis Hodge
- Kathy Baker
Development
On May 18, 2013, Open Road Films, in conjunction with Randall Miller and Jody Savin, revealed plans to produce a biographical film based on Gregg Allman's autobiography My Cross To Bear. Miller was attached as both director and co-writer alongside Savin.
Open Road Films’ role as the U.S. distributor provided considerable support to this independent project. As a company owned by AMC Theatres and Regal Entertainment Group, Open Road had direct access to approximately 31% of American theater venues. Tom Ortenberg of Open Road commented, "Gregg Allman's story is compelling and we are eager to bring this film to audiences." The producers—Miller, Savin, and their partner Brad Rosenberger—collaborated closely with Allman and his manager Michael Lehman, who acted as executive producers.
The official title Midnight Rider: The Gregg Allman Story was announced on November 1, 2013. This release included promotional visuals, a Facebook page launch, and casting calls under that name.
February 20, 2014, Incident
On February 20, 2014, a film crew traveled from Meddin Studios to a secluded area located on Rayonier-owned property used for mill operations. This location encompassed CSX railroad land and Wayne County’s historic Doctortown railroad trestle. CSX reported that the production team had requested authorization twice to access their property but received formal written refusals. Sergeant Ben Robertson noted that when questioned about having permission to be on the trestle, crew member Mr. Sedrish responded, "That's complicated."
Under the direction of Miller, the team shot a dream sequence featuring William Hurt portraying Allman atop a metal hospital bed positioned on the active railroad trestle spanning the Altamaha River. Although principal photography was scheduled to commence on February 24 in Savannah, February 20 was designated for a "camera test," yet significant filming took place without the complete crew present.
During filming, a CSX freight train approached at high speed, leaving less than a minute for evacuation. The crew was positioned far along the trestle with only one escape path leading toward the oncoming train. Video footage shows many were unaware of the train’s velocity; some attempted to dismantle equipment and remove the metal bed but were unable to clear the trestle before impact. The train collided with and destroyed the bed, sending debris that fatally injured camera assistant Sarah Jones. William Hurt managed to get off before the collision, sustaining minor injuries. Several other crew members were hurt as well, including hair stylist Joyce Gilliard, who suffered a fractured arm.
The trestle itself is a historic bridge crossing the Altamaha River in Wayne County. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicated that the train was traveling at 58 mph in an area where the speed limit was set at 70 mph. On February 21, authorities confirmed Sarah Jones had died and reported seven additional individuals injured.
Nick Gant, executive producer at Meddin Studios, denied any negligence on behalf of the crew, asserting they were skilled professionals and attributing fault to CSX. On February 24, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that CSX had refused permission for filming on the trestle. Investigations broadened to include OSHA, NTSB, FRA, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, all examining Jones’s death under negligent homicide statutes.
Efforts to Resume Filming Following the Accident
Initially, producers intended to proceed with filming shortly after the incident and sought new permits from Savannah authorities; however, on February 26, 2014, Film Allman, LLC announced a production pause in light of Sarah Jones’s death and injuries sustained by crew members. On February 27, director Miller engaged PR consultant Matthew Hiltzik to handle adverse publicity. By April 14, Miller expressed plans to restart production in Los Angeles by June.
On April 17, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) stated that Unclaimed Freight Productions was preparing for pre-production but had not yet obtained approval to recommence filming. IATSE clarified they lacked authority to prevent production from restarting but emphasized that participation decisions rested with individual workers.
After Miller and Savin opted to resume filming, crew members mounted strong protests urging actors such as Gregg Allman, Open Road Films, and William Hurt to withdraw their involvement. The objections focused on the absence of federal, state, or union mechanisms to halt production despite prior negligence resulting in serious injuries and a fatality. A Facebook group opposing the film amassed over 10,800 members by April 23—the same day Hurt announced his exit from the project.
Hurt, who was scheduled for scenes involving the metal bed on the bridge, disclosed he had been reassured twice about safety concerns related to that location. On April 25, Gregg Allman publicly appealed to producers not to continue filming out of respect for Sarah Jones and her family. Subsequently, Allman filed a civil lawsuit against Miller and Savin seeking an injunction to stop production. Open Road Films has maintained its support for the project.
Criminal charges and convictions
On July 3, 2014, Miller, Savin, and Sedrish faced charges of involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass. Initially, Miller and Savin entered pleas of not guilty. Subsequently, on September 10, 2014, Hillary Schwartz, the first assistant director of Midnight Rider, was charged with the same offenses.
Plea agreements were reached shortly before the trial on March 9, 2015: Miller and Sedrish admitted guilt to felony involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing, while the accusations against Savin were dismissed as part of Miller’s plea deal.
Miller received a sentence of 10 years, with an anticipated two years of incarceration followed by probation that barred him from employment involving worker safety responsibilities; he was also subject to fines and community service. He began serving his sentence immediately and was released after one year in March 2016. Sedrish was placed on 10 years probation, fined, and subjected to comparable professional restrictions. On March 10, 2015, Schwartz pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced to a decade of probation.
Gregg Allman v. Unclaimed Freight Productions et al.
To prevent Miller's and Savin's efforts to restart filming Midnight Rider, Gregg Allman—who was both the film’s subject and executive producer—initiated legal action on April 28, 2014, in Chatham County Superior Court. He alleged that Miller and Savin failed to pay the agreed option fee for the film rights or commence principal photography by the contractually specified deadline. Following one day of hearings, which included Miller’s testimony, the matter was resolved through an out-of-court settlement. The terms of this agreement remain confidential.
Richard Jones and Elisabeth Jones v. CSX Transportation and Unknown Corporations
On May 21, 2014, Sarah Jones’s parents filed a wrongful death claim in Chatham County, Georgia, targeting CSX, the film’s producers, and associated parties. Their complaint asserted that the defendants were aware that filming on February 20 took place on active railroad tracks without CSX’s authorization and recognized the dangers involved. CSX maintained it had repeatedly refused access to its property and pointed out that employees had observed the film crew near its railroad crossing prior to the accident. The plaintiffs contended that CSX should have taken measures such as slowing trains or conducting investigations given these warnings.
Before trial commenced, the Jones family reached settlements with several defendants; however, CSX, Meddin Studios, and Jeffery Gant remained as parties in the case. In July 2017, a jury awarded $11.2 million to the Jones family: $3.9 million was attributed to CSX liability; $3.14 million to Miller; $2 million to Rayonier Performance Fibers (the landowner); with remaining responsibility assigned among Savin, Schwartz, and Sedrish. Although CSX appealed this verdict, it later agreed to an undisclosed settlement during the appeal process.
Film Allman LLC v. New York Marine Insurance
On August 12, 2014, Film Allman LLC filed suit against New York Marine Insurance after being denied a $1.6 million insurance payout following production delays caused by the accident. The lawsuit revealed that the script had been modified to concentrate broadly on 1970s rock music instead of focusing exclusively on Gregg Allman’s life story. This revision, coupled with Allman’s confidential out-of-court settlement with Film Allman LLC, cast doubt on whether the project still qualified as a "Gregg Allman biopic" based on his autobiography. The insurance policy stipulated strict compliance with all safety regulations; however, OSHA cited Film Allman LLC for serious and willful violations related to crew safety hazards alongside criminal indictments against producers and the first assistant director.
NTSB Inquiry
The National Transportation Safety Board determined on March 23, 2015, that the incident resulted from the film crew's unauthorized presence on CSX Transportation property at the Altamaha River bridge, despite multiple refusals for access. Additionally, the cooperation of the neighboring landowner in granting entry played a contributory role.
OSHA Penalties Issued to Film Allman LLC
Miller’s production company was penalized $74,600 by OSHA for breaches of safety regulations. Although Miller contested the citation, the OSHA review board upheld the fine. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals later confirmed this penalty after Miller’s challenge, citing false statements by Film Allman’s supervising personnel that jeopardized worker safety. An en banc hearing requested by Miller with the full Eleventh Circuit ultimately upheld the ruling in 2017, recognizing willful OSHA violations and enforcing the maximum statutory fine.
FRA Update on Ongoing Probe
As of October 15, 2014, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reported it was actively investigating the February 20, 2014 collision along CSX’s rail line near Nahunta, Georgia. The FRA stressed that once the investigation concludes, it will determine the fundamental cause and apply all necessary regulatory measures.
Report from National Council on Occupational Safety and Health
The National Council on Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) featured Sarah Jones’s case in its yearly report as one of seven avoidable workplace fatalities. Joyce Gilliard, a hairstylist injured in the crash, became an advocate for enhanced safety protocols to prevent future incidents in work environments.
Slick Rock Trail
On October 2, 2014, it was announced that director Randall Miller had entered pre-production on Slick Rock Trail, reuniting with casting director Rick Pagano, who previously collaborated with Miller on Midnight Rider, CBGB, Noble Son, and Bottle Shock. The project appeared to share thematic similarities with Midnight Rider, including references to a band featuring two drummers described metaphorically as a potential train wreck—a phrase connected to Gregg Allman’s narrative. It remained uncertain whether this screenplay was linked to Miller’s earlier rewritten Midnight Rider script involved in his insurance dispute.
Safety for Sarah Initiative
In response to Jones’s passing, her family, friends, and industry allies established the Safety for Sarah initiative aimed at promoting awareness and enhancing safety standards across film and television production environments.