I think we're looking at this all wrong. It doesn't matter what the technical details are. If you're controlling something dangerous it's your responsibility to ensure it doesn't do damage or hurt anyone.

Take a car for example. If you're driving and you allow the car to hit someone and they die, you are charged with manslaughter. It's your responsibility to operate it safely. It doesn't matter if the conditions were difficult. In fact it's worse - you shouldn't have operated the car.

It's the same concept here. They were operating something dangerous and did not take the necessary steps to ensure our safety.

They should go to jail.