Media too have made changes in their terminology. The same NYT report said that AP had changed its terminology. With effect from June 1, AP said of the entries ‘accident’  and ‘crash’ in its

Style Guide: “Generally acceptable for automobile and other collisions and wrecks. However, when negligence is claimed or proven, avoid accident, which can be read by some as a term

exonerating the person responsible. In such cases, use crash, collision or other terms. See collide, collision.”