Driver Charged With Murder in Deadly L.A. Bus Crash
19 hours ago
A woman accused of slamming an SUV into a Los Angeles Metro bus is facing two counts of second-degree murder after prosecutors say she was speeding and under the influence of drugs when the crash killed two passengers.
Los Angeles County prosecutors charged 36-year-old Bailee Lynn Rios on Thursday in connection with Tuesday’s crash in the Chatsworth neighborhood. Rios is also charged with driving under the influence of a drug causing injury and reckless driving.
Authorities say Rios was driving a 2004 Ford Expedition when she traveled the wrong way down De Soto Avenue at high speed, struck another vehicle, ran a red light and slammed into the side of a Metro bus.
The two passengers killed were identified as 46-year-old Daniel Castillo and 31-year-old Gage Weida. Six other people were injured in the collision.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said investigators believe Rios was impaired by drugs at the time. Authorities also said narcotics were found inside her SUV, although testing was still underway to determine the substances involved.
Rios was being held on approximately $4.1 million bail. She had been scheduled for arraignment Thursday, but officials said a medical issue prevented her from being transported to court. She is now expected to appear Friday. If convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The deadly collision was followed about two hours later by a second tragedy nearby. An NBC4 and Telemundo 52 news helicopter that had been covering the bus crash went down in Chatsworth and burst into flames.
Pilot George Marciniw and reporter Eliana Moreno were killed, along with 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, who was on the ground when the helicopter crashed.
Rios has not been charged in connection with the helicopter crash. Federal investigators are separately investigating that accident, with preliminary evidence focusing on a possible mechanical or engine failure.
Hundreds of people gathered in Chatsworth Thursday night for a candlelight vigil honoring the victims of both crashes as the investigations continue.
Los Angeles County prosecutors charged 36-year-old Bailee Lynn Rios on Thursday in connection with Tuesday’s crash in the Chatsworth neighborhood. Rios is also charged with driving under the influence of a drug causing injury and reckless driving.
Authorities say Rios was driving a 2004 Ford Expedition when she traveled the wrong way down De Soto Avenue at high speed, struck another vehicle, ran a red light and slammed into the side of a Metro bus.
The two passengers killed were identified as 46-year-old Daniel Castillo and 31-year-old Gage Weida. Six other people were injured in the collision.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said investigators believe Rios was impaired by drugs at the time. Authorities also said narcotics were found inside her SUV, although testing was still underway to determine the substances involved.
Rios was being held on approximately $4.1 million bail. She had been scheduled for arraignment Thursday, but officials said a medical issue prevented her from being transported to court. She is now expected to appear Friday. If convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The deadly collision was followed about two hours later by a second tragedy nearby. An NBC4 and Telemundo 52 news helicopter that had been covering the bus crash went down in Chatsworth and burst into flames.
Pilot George Marciniw and reporter Eliana Moreno were killed, along with 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, who was on the ground when the helicopter crashed.
Rios has not been charged in connection with the helicopter crash. Federal investigators are separately investigating that accident, with preliminary evidence focusing on a possible mechanical or engine failure.
Hundreds of people gathered in Chatsworth Thursday night for a candlelight vigil honoring the victims of both crashes as the investigations continue.
