Charges were dropped against musician Gregg Allman, the subject of the film Midnight Rider, for the wrongful death of 27-year-old camera assistant Sarah Jones. Jones was struck by an oncoming train in February while the crew set up equipment on the tracks near Savannah, Georgia. It’s unclear whether the film company had permission to film on the tracks. Jones’ family is still seeking financial damages from the film’s director, producer, and writer, Randall Miller. A trial is set for March.
ABC’s 20/20 has an exclusive interview with hair stylist Joyce Gilliard who was also working on the film and was also hit by the train. She recalls when someone asked what to do if a train was spotted. “[Someone said], ‘You have 60 seconds to get off the track.’ I was more or less, ’60 seconds to get off the track?'” Gilliard said. “And I started praying. I’m mad at myself because I didn’t say something.” The train smashed into Gilliard’s left arm, she suffered a compound fracture and had to have a plate put in. Gilliard is also suing the producers of Midnight Rider, the railroad company and the landowners. The ABC 20/20 interview will air Friday, October 31 at 10pm.
