Director of ‘Midnight Rider’ Sentenced to Two Years in Jail for Death of Crew Member, Sarah Jones.

This should serve as a wakeup call for Hollywood and the industry at large. If you purposely put your crew in harms way – you will pay the appropriate price.

Director Randall Miller, the director of the ill-fated Greg Allman biopic, Midnight Rider plead guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter due to his reckless decision to proceed filming on railroad tracks that were off limits.

His poor judgment resulted in the tragic death of Sarah Jones, 27, who was working as an assistant camera operator. Jones was hit by the freight train that bounded down the tracks at high speed while cast and crew were setting up for a scene.

Like a scene out of a horror flick, the train appeared without warning, and plowed through the makeshift set, sending debris flying through the air. Everyone managed to escape getting struck except Jones, and her death forced regulators to examine the safety hazards that crew members typically face and whether those risks are warranted.

Miller has been warned not to film on the tracks and even had his requests denied twice, according to the testimony provided by CSX Transportation, but the director apparently refused to comply.

He has been ordered to serve at least two years in jail and will spend an additional eight years on probation, He will also have to pay a fine in the amount of $20,000.

Miller’s punishment won’t make up for the loss of a promising young member of the film industry – but hopefully it will serve as a wakeup call and help initiate laws that will ensure that what happened to Sarah Jones won’t happen again.