Sarah Jones Death is Her Fault? Open Road Films, Landowner Deny Responsibility
The distributor of Midnight Rider and owner of the land where camera assistant Sarah Jones was killed earlier this year has denied responsibility and blames Jones for her own death. The landowner argues that Jones was not excercising “ordinary care for her own safety.”
According to Deadline, Sarah Jones’ parents are suing distributor Open Road, Rayonier Performance Fibers and several others for their daughter’s February 20 death when a train rain across a film set on a bridge trestle.
The parents’ suit says the distributor was responsible for ensuring a safe and legal shoot, which Open Road answered with an August motion to dismiss. In a new filing this week in Georgia (read it here), Open Road claims it had no “operational control” over the film shoot. [Deadline]
Open Road Films argues that they are not involved in the production of the movies but, “acquires movies from people and companies who make them.” From there they market, release and distribute those films.
Rayonier, the owner of the land, where Sarah Jones was killed revealed that they had granted producers access to the bridge trestle where she died but, denied giving filmmakers any knowledge of train schedules on the tracks.
The company also said that Jones put herself in danger. According to the report, Rayonier argues that she “failed to exercise ordinary care for her own safety and, had she done so, could have avoided the consequences of any alleged negligence on the part of Rayonier.”
Director Randall Miller, producer Jody Savin have pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal trespassing and involuntary manslaughter.
Related:
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Unsafe Set Conditions? Anonymously Report with Sarah Jones Safety App
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Sarah Jones Family Files Massive Lawsuit for Wrongful Death Against ‘Midnight Rider’
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Crew Members Call for a Boycott of ‘Midnight Rider’ Following Sarah Jones Death
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