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LOS ANGELES () — The woman accused of slamming her SUV into a Metro bus in Chatsworth, killing two people and injuring six others, will be charged with second-degree murder.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges against Bailee Rios, 36, during a news conference on Thursday. Additional charges include driving under the influence and reckless driving. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
An NBC4 helicopter crew reporting on the bus collision crashed just blocks away that night. Hochman referenced the deadly helicopter crash and spoke about possible charges that could be considered once the federal investigation is concluded.
“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. If there is, then we will consider the appropriate charges. If there is not, then that will not lead to any further charges,” Hochman said.
The DA said Rios had drugs in her system at the time, and narcotics were found in her car. Hochman did not speak to the specific type of narcotics but characterized them as “legal hard drugs.” He said a full chemical evaluation is underway.
“What those drugs are and their quantity still remains to be determined,” he said.
Rios was scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning at Los Angeles County Superior Court in San Fernando, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department jail records. However, she was unable to attend due to a medical event, but is expected to appear in court Friday.
She was booked on Wednesday morning with bail set at $4.03 million. Hochman said he is not aware of any request to lower that amount.
How the crash happened
The woman accused of slamming her SUV into a Metro bus in Chatsworth, killing two people and injuring six others was scheduled to appear in court but her missed appearance was declared a medical miss-out by the court.
Rios allegedly drove a gray 2004 Ford Expedition south in the northbound lanes of De Soto Avenue just after 5 p.m. Tuesday when she ran a red light and nearly collided with an eastbound vehicle before hitting the side of the Metro Line 166 bus in the 20900 block of Nordhoff Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
“The impact fully ejected one passenger from the bus and partially ejected a second,” according to an LAPD statement. “Debris from the collision also damaged a blue 2024 Honda CR-V that was stopped, facing northbound, on De Soto Avenue at Nordhoff Street.”
Two people were pronounced dead at the scene and one suffered serious injuries, police said.
“The other passengers transported to local hospitals sustained non-life-threatening injuries,” police said, adding that a total of six patients were transported.
Rios was injured in the collision and treated at a hospital before being taken into custody, according to Metro spokesman Jose Ubaldo. Metro previously indicated that Rios had died at the hospital, but that report turned out to be unfounded.
What we know about victims killed in crash
Photos show both victims killed in Tuesday’s Chatsworth bus crash. From left to right: 31-year-old Gage Weida and 46-year-old Daniel Castillo.
The county medical examiner on Wednesday identified the victims as Daniel Castillo, 46, who died on the bus, and Gage Weida, 31, who died on the street nearby, having apparently been thrown from the bus during the collision.
Weida’s family describes him as a “kind, caring, and selfless son” with a “heart of gold.” They said he was on the way to work at the time of the crash.
Castillo’s daughter tells Eyewitness News he was an amazing person.
“We’re obviously very devastated and heartbroken by the loss of our dad,” said Johaunna Castillo.
Castillo was a dedicated Dodgers, Cowboys and Lakers fan and the type of man who would give anyone the shirt off his back, his family said.
“He had a way of bringing so much laughter and light into every single person’s lives,” Johaunna added.
Bailee Rios’ history
According to Ventura County court records, Rios was convicted of misdemeanor drug possession in 2016 after pleading guilty. Records show she was charged with the same offense in 2022, but the charges were dismissed. She was, however, convicted in the same 2022 case of driving with a suspended license.
When the NBC4 helicopter crashed a short time after the bus crash, three people, including the reporter and the pilot onboard the helicopter and one person on the ground, were killed. Two others were injured.
Vigil to honor lives lost
A community vigil to honor the lives of all five victims killed in both the Metro bus crash and the helicopter crash will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. John Eudes Church in Chatsworth, eight blocks from where the helicopter hit the ground.
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, whose Third District includes Chatsworth, said she was working with local authorities to understand what happened.
“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.
“My office is in close contact with local authorities and Metro as we work to understand what happened and ensure those affected have the support they need. Thank you to the first responders who rushed to the scene and are caring for those in need.”
Anyone with information about the bus crash is asked to contact LAPD Officer Reyes at (818) 644-8114 or Officer Lozon at (818) 644-8117, or the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division at (818) 644-8114. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877) 527-3247.
City News Service contributed to this report
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