Tragedy Follows Allman Brothers, Even on Film

ABB 1969 - Standing (l to r): Jaimo, Gregg Allman and Berry Oakley; sitting: Duane Allman, Butch Trucks and Dickey Betts.

A camera operator working on Randall Miller's Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider was killed in a train accident during filming on Feb. 20, 2014

Sarah  Jones and other crew members were shooting a dream sequence on a CSX rail bridge in Doctortown, Georgia when a train came hurtling down the tracks unexpectedly. Jones died and seven others were hurt, including the director.

Tragedy is a big part of the Allman Brothers saga. Gregg Allman's older brother Duane and bassist Berry Oakley died almost a year apart in motorcycle accidents in the early-'70s. Both were 24.

In the movie, Gregg Allman is played by Tyson Ritter and William Hurt. It focuses on Allman's battles with drugs and alcohol.

Updates: On Feb. 26, 2014 Midnight Rider suspended production. On Mar. 6, 2015, Miller pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing, and received a 10-year sentence, two of which he'll serve in Wayne County Jail. Miller will also pay a $20,000 and is required to complete 360 hours of community service. He previously directed CBGB and Bottle Shock.

Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom

Publisher of CelebStoner.com, former editor of High Times and Freedom Leaf and co-author of Pot Culture and Reefer Movie Madness.