Every industrial accident is different in its details, but depressingly similar in the cover-up.

Before the dust settles and the debris is cleared away, the company spokesperson is busy framing the story and assigning blame. The media are quick to join the feeding frenzy — and the responsibility always stops at the employee farthest down the food chain. On the railroads, that worker is often the engineer.

On Amtrak 188 on May 12, that engineer was Brandon Bostian. Bostian’s public trial began almost immediately. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter didn’t have — or seem to care about — any evidence, but he knew where to point the finger: “Clearly, he was reckless and irresponsible in his actions. I don’t know what was going on with him. I don’t know what was going on in the cab. But there’s really no excuse.”