Los Angeles prosecutors have charged Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, with two counts of second-degree murder following a Tuesday collision in which her SUV struck a Metro bus, killing two passengers. Rios, who was under the influence of drugs at the time, faces $4.1 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court Friday.
The crash occurred at the intersection of De Soto Avenue and Nordhoff Street, where surveillance footage shows Rios driving the wrong way at high speed before plowing into the bus. The impact ejected a passenger and lodged her 2004 Ford Expedition into the bus’ frame. Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31, were killed in the collision, while six others on the bus were injured.
Two hours later, an NBC4 news helicopter covering the incident crashed nearby, killing pilot George Marciniw, reporter Eliana Moreno, and bystander Edy Gutierrez Mejia. The helicopter burst into flames, igniting nearby vehicles and storage containers. Authorities have not linked Rios to the helicopter crash.
Rios has no publicly listed attorney, and the public defender’s office confirmed it had not been appointed to represent her. Her mother, Cindy Rios, told reporters she had not spoken to her daughter since the arrest and had not been contacted by law enforcement.
Prosecutors allege Rios was speeding and impaired when she swerved into oncoming traffic, blowing a red light before the collision. Court records and interviews indicate she had multiple prior drug arrests but served minimal jail time. The charges include reckless driving and driving under the influence, in addition to the murder counts.
Community members gathered Thursday for a vigil in Chatsworth, honoring the victims of both incidents. The crashes have prompted discussions about traffic safety and media coverage protocols in high-risk situations.