Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
'Midnight Rider' Filmmakers Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter In Sarah Jones' Death
Sarah Jones (via Facebook)
()
It's been over four months since a 27-year-old camera assistant was fatally struck by a freight train on the set of Midnight Rider, and today Georgia prosecutors have charged the filmmakers with involuntary manslaughter.
If convicted, Randall Miller and Jody Savin, the owners of Unclaimed Freight Productions—the company that produced the film, as well as the film's executive producer Jay Sedrish could face up to 10 years in prison for the involuntary manslaughter charge, according to Variety. They were also charged with criminal trespassing, which could potentially land them 12 months in jail.
During the first day of shooting on Feb. 20, Sarah Jones was killed and seven others were injured when a freight train plowed through a trestle in Jesup, Georgia where allegedly the crew wasn't given permission to film. Members of the TV and film industry brought attention to Jones' death and the safety practices for crew members during filming.
Production was put on hold for the film after Jones' death; however, Miller and Savin had announced plans to continue shooting in L.A. in June. Crew members were upset that the filming was moving forward this since the investigation was still pending, and boycotted the production company. Even William Hurt, the lead actor in Midnight Rider, dropped out of the film in April.
Support for LAist comes from
This comes on the heels of several other lawsuits filed against Unclaimed Freight Productions. One of those complaints included Jones' family's lawsuit which was filed on May 21. The lawsuit said that the company "operated without minimum safety precautions and contrary to standard industry practices for productions of this scale and for productions involving dangerous filming conditions."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist