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WILKES-BARRE — Janet Rains’ death will leave a huge hole in the region’s music scene, according to a longtime music reporter.
Rains, a Pittston native who performed musically under the name Jane Train, died Wednesday afternoon in a Florida hospital from injuries suffered in a vehicle crash. She was 48.
Kingston attorney Ed Ciarimboli, who represents the family, said Rains was pronounced dead at about 3 p.m. She was removed from all life support measures earlier Wednesday afternoon, he said.
“She was one of the greatest entertainers we had,” said Alan K. Stout, who has covered music in Northeastern Pennslyvania for more than three decades. “You couldn’t keep your eyes off her, she was that dynamic.”
Stout knew Rains mostly through his work as a reporter, but he’s been learning more about her since the accident. He said the biggest thing he’s found is that she was incredibly giving, even going to people’s houses for one-on-one interaction and to give vocal lessons.
“She was a great person,” Stout said. “It’s a very sad day for music in Northeast PA.”
Ciarimboli said Rains’ family was thankful for the support they have received since the June 14 crash.
“The family and friends of Janet Rains wish to thank everybody for their prayers, their kind words and their support over the past several weeks,” Ciarimboli said. “They ask that those prayers continue for Janet and her family and friends.”
On Monday, the attorney said Rains — who performed in the prominent 1980s cover band M80 — was in “very, very, very critical condition” at the University of Florida Health Shands Burn Center in Gainesville after suffering serious injuries in a violent vehicle crash July 14 in Florida.
Ciarimboli is in Florida with family members and explained what has been going on with them as they struggled with the decision-making process about life support.
“This is a process,” Ciarimboli said. “Janet Rains was completely removed from all life support. The family made that decision, and that process began this afternoon. She passed away about 3 p.m.”
Rains; Jason McCloe, of Wilkes-Barre; and Rob Dressler, of Plains Township, were involved in the crash when the RV of New York-based rock band Adrenaline Mob was struck by a tractor-trailer while pulled over on Interstate 75 south of Gainesville.
Ciarimboli, who along with attorney Greg Fellerman represents Rains and Dressler in a pending lawsuit against the trucking company, said he expects the lawsuit to be filed this week. Officials are awaiting the release of the tractor-trailer driver’s toxicology report, Ciarimboli said.
According to the crash report, the band’s RV, which was pulled over onto the shoulder, was struck by a rig that drifted off the highway.
Ciarimboli has said the truck, dispatched by Largo, Fla., motor carrier Twiss Transportation, crossed at least one full traffic lane before leaving the road, splitting the RV in half and causing it to become engulfed in flames.
Adrenaline Mob’s bassist, David “David Z” Zablidowski, died in the wreck.
Whether the driver is charged with a crime remains to be seen, but Ciarimboli said criminal charges won’t change the nature of the litigation.
A GoFundMe page created for Rains’ recovery expenses, meanwhile, raised more than $21,000 in 29 days.