SUV driver in fatal LA Metro bus crash found with meth after collision

Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, had methamphetamine on her after her SUV killed two bus passengers. An NBC news helicopter covering the scene also crashed, killing three.

Drugs found on SUV driver after deadly Los Angeles bus crash and helicopter plunge

Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, was found with suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on her person following a crash in which her SUV slammed into a Los Angeles Metro bus, killing two people, NY Post Metro reports, citing sources with knowledge of the investigation.

The collision occurred shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday on Nordhoff Street near De Soto Avenue. Surveillance footage obtained by the California Post shows Rios' vehicle speeding into the frame before becoming lodged inside the bus, sending debris flying across the scene.

Rios is facing murder charges in connection with the crash, which also left several others injured. Police suspect she was driving recklessly, ran a red light and may have been under the influence at the time of the collision. She missed her court appearance Thursday, remaining hospitalized with injuries from the wreck. Her bail has been set at $4.03 million.

Former Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva told the California Post the bail amount reflects the gravity of the charges. "It's consistent with the severity of the crime," he said.

An NBC4/Telemundo 52 news helicopter, NewsChopper4, suffered a catastrophic loss of altitude while broadcasting live over the crash scene Tuesday night and plunged from the sky, killing reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and pedestrian Edy Gutierrez Mejia.

Hours before the crash, Rios sent a text to friend Brad Aragon at 1:24 p.m. expressing fear over a personal situation. "Brad, it's not a joking matter on this bf thing its serious and im honestly scared but yes of course imma come see you," the message read.

Aragon told The Post that Rios had been associating with people she should not have been around. "She was saying lately that she was associating with certain people that she shouldn't be associating with," he said. "I was going to help her with that."

Rios' uncle told Fox 11 that she had struggled with drug addiction for 15 years. "She literally, when she was young, tried something once and never came back," he said.

Court records show Rios has prior cases involving drug possession, speeding, driving without a license, burglary, and shoplifting.

Source: NY Post Metro