CSX Transportation, the railway operator that controlled the portion of Georgia track the makers of Midnight Rider were using when camera operator Sarah Jones died in February, said that it denied the filmmakers access twice.
The company filed a civil claim in Chatham County, Georgia, revealing that the Gregg Allman biopic’s producers requested access to tracks twice. However, they denied them each time, “citing a company policy which prohibits filming on CSXT’s property due to safety and security reasons,” the filming reads, notes Variety.
The civil claim for intentional trespass names director Randall Miller, producer Jody Savin, executive producer Jay Sedrish and Unclaimed Freight productions as the defendants. CSX is seeking damages and attorneys fees.
CSX also wants to be dropped from a civil suit filed by Jones’ family, claiming that they should not be held responsible for her death. They say they had no idea that the crew was filming at the time, which explains why they did not immediately respond when there was an accident.
Miller, Savin and Sedrish were all charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing in July. They denied that Jones’ death was a crime, calling it “a horrible tragedy and a horrific accident.”
Six other people were injured in the accident. William Hurt was supposed to play Allman, but dropped out.
image of Randall Miller courtesy of Peter West/ACE/INFphoto.com