Hollywood tragedy involving CSX train ends in guilty plea

‘Midnight Rider’ director pleads guilty in the on-set death of a crew member.    A Hollywood director on Monday pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of a crew member who was killed when a CSX train crashed into the set for a movie being made about Southern rock legend Gregg Allman.
   The accident occurred last year during filming of “Midnight Rider” on a trestle over the Altahama River. CSX denied Randal Miller and his film company permission to film on its tracks, but Miller’s defense team said he had permission from Rayonair, a paper company that owns the land.
   The crew was under the impression that no more trains were scheduled over the bridge on the day of filming, but a CSX train caught them by surprise and shrapnel from the accident killed a 27-year-old assistant camera operator.
   The Los Angeles Times has a full account of the “Midnight Rider” tragedy and occupational hazards in the movie industry.