Unfortunately, the simultaneous rejects can be more dangerous, given the wrong circumstances, than one going flying. Just picture both airplanes coming to a stop at the intersection with all brakes a-smokin'... What was the "right decision" on the part of both pilots could have been disastrous despite best efforts!
Last time I stated "unable LAHSO" on tower contact at ORD, that controller told me 'We don't plan for it for heavies, anyhow.' (despite local procedures requiring the call when LAHSO is in effect). I suspect this incident was simply a mistake that ANY controller could make, MANY have made, but most of which didn't result in anything reportable, much less disastrous.
There will certainly be a lot of press regarding the incident, but they will continue in the future as long as humans continue flying and controlling. We just gotta be ready for them, like these involved pilots were!