Bailee Rios charged with murder over fatal Metro bus crash in Chatsworth, LA

A 36-year-old woman faces second-degree murder charges after crashing her SUV into a Los Angeles Metro bus, killing two people. Drugs were found in her system and her car.

Chatsworth bus crash suspect charged with murder as DA cites prior drug convictions

Bailee Rios, 36, has been charged with second-degree murder following a collision in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, in which her SUV struck a Metro bus, killing two people and injuring six others, abc7.com reports. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges at a news conference on Thursday.

Additional charges include driving under the influence and reckless driving. If convicted on all counts, Rios faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Hochman said Rios had drugs in her system at the time of the crash and that narcotics were recovered from her vehicle. He characterised the substances as "hard drugs" but did not specify the type, noting that a full chemical evaluation is still underway.

"What those drugs are and their quantity still remains to be determined," Hochman said.

How the crash unfolded

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Rios was driving a grey 2004 Ford Expedition southbound in northbound lanes of De Soto Avenue just after 5 p.m. on Tuesday when she ran a red light. She nearly collided with an eastbound vehicle before striking the side of the Metro Line 166 bus in the 20900 block of Nordhoff Street.

"The impact fully ejected one passenger from the bus and partially ejected a second," the LAPD said in a statement. Debris from the collision also damaged a blue 2024 Honda CR-V stopped nearby at the intersection.

Two people were pronounced dead at the scene. One person suffered serious injuries, and six patients in total were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

Victims identified

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the two victims on Wednesday as Daniel Castillo, 46, who died on the bus, and Gage Weida, 31, who died on the street nearby after apparently being thrown from the bus during the impact.

Weida's family described him as a "kind, caring, and selfless son" with a "heart of gold." He was on his way to work at the time of the crash. Hochman noted that Weida's family had been planning to visit him in Los Angeles this weekend for his birthday; they will now come for his funeral instead.

Castillo's daughter, Johaunna Castillo, said her father was an extraordinary person. "We're obviously very devastated and heartbroken by the loss of our dad," she told Eyewitness News. His family described him as a devoted Dodgers, Cowboys and Lakers fan who would give anyone the shirt off his back. "He had a way of bringing so much laughter and light into every single person's lives," Johaunna added.

Prior convictions on record

Court records from Ventura County show that Rios was convicted of misdemeanor drug possession in 2016 after pleading guilty. In 2022, she faced the same charge, which was subsequently dismissed, but she was convicted in that same case of driving with a suspended licence.

Court appearance delayed by medical event

Rios was booked on Wednesday morning with bail set at $4.03 million. Hochman said he was not aware of any request to reduce that amount.

She was scheduled to appear at Los Angeles County Superior Court in San Fernando on Thursday morning, but was unable to attend due to a medical event. She is expected to appear in court on Friday.

Metro initially reported that Rios had died at the hospital after receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the collision, but that report was subsequently found to be incorrect, according to Metro spokesman Jose Ubaldo.

NBC4 helicopter crash linked to the scene

A separate tragedy unfolded that same evening. An NBC4 helicopter crew covering the bus crash went down just blocks from the collision site shortly after the initial incident. Three people were killed — the reporter and pilot on board, as well as one person on the ground — and two others were injured.

Hochman addressed questions about potential charges connected to the helicopter crash. "There's currently a federal investigation going on with the NBC4 helicopter crash. That is an ongoing investigation. When that investigation is complete, we'll certainly consider whether or not there is any tie-in with our current prosecution," he said.

Community vigil and official response

A community vigil honouring the five victims of both incidents was scheduled for Thursday evening, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at St. John Eudes Church in Chatsworth, eight blocks from where the helicopter came down.

County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, whose Third District covers Chatsworth, said she was working with local authorities to understand the full circumstances of the crash. "I'm heartbroken by the devastating crash in Chatsworth. My thoughts are first and foremost with those who lost their lives, their families and loved ones, and everyone who was injured," she said.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the bus crash to contact LAPD Officer Reyes at (818) 644-8114 or Officer Lozon at (818) 644-8117, or the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division at the same number. Outside business hours, calls can be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Source: Google News MT