I thought that the major difference between a crime and an accident lies in "mens rea" - a guilty mind? Meaning that for a crime to be committed there must be intent. Even culpable negligence would require evidence of a reckless act, done despite full knowledge of the likely outcome.
Without direct intent or at least recklessness, there can be no culpability. I know the lawyers can have a field day, with their usual semantics over the meaning of words and actions, but to the rest of us the meaning is surely clear.