Very sad events
I have done quite a lot of flying in the USA, and have to say the downwind 45 degree join ( at circuit height) gives you a much better "air picture", as you know exactly where everyone is joining, and at what level. Personally I feel the overhead join & crosswind joins etc can lead to events like this, as you can end up with people flying with big blind spots around them, being slightly off track/height during the join etc...