Driver Charged in Fatal Collision with Metro Bus in Los Angeles
On Tuesday, a woman driving her SUV at high speed crashed into a Metro bus in Los Angeles, resulting in two fatalities and numerous subsequent issues. Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with this incident.
According to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Rios drove through an intersection under the influence of drugs in her 2004 Ford Expedition, colliding with the city Metro bus. The tragic crash left two individuals dead, as stated during a news conference on Thursday.
Following the collision, Rios was hospitalized and is currently being held on a $4.1 million bail, as indicated by court records and law enforcement reports. Authorities found methamphetamine and related drug paraphernalia inside her vehicle after examining the crash site.
In a twist of events, about two hours after the bus incident, a news helicopter from NBC4/Telemundo 52, covering the aftermath, lost control and crashed into a nearby lot. This unfortunate accident resulted in the deaths of the pilot, George Marciniw, reporter Eliana Moreno, and a bystander, Edy Gutierrez Mejia.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner identified the victims from the original bus crash as Gage Weida, 31, and Daniel Castillo, 46, on Wednesday morning.
Rios, who missed her initial arraignment due to her hospitalization, is expected to appear in court on Friday. She faces charges that include two counts of second-degree murder, driving under the influence, and reckless driving.
“The tragedy of the Rios car crash was entirely preventable,” said Hochman, noting that if found guilty, Rios could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Footage from the crash reveals Rios’s Ford Expedition speeding down the wrong side of De Soto Avenue at about 5 p.m, careening through a red light at the intersection with Nordhoff Street. The SUV collided with another vehicle before crashing directly into the side of the Metro Line 166 bus.
During rush hour, traffic was already moving at a slow pace when Rios entered the busy San Fernando Valley intersection. Witnesses described the SUV’s behavior as resembling a high-speed chase, noting that it didn’t appear to slow down at all before it struck the bus.
The force of the impact was so severe that the front of the SUV nearly embedded itself in the bus. Castillo and Weida were pronounced dead at the scene, while one passenger sustained severe injuries and five others had injuries that were not life-threatening.
Public records indicate that Rios has a lengthy criminal history, which includes drug offenses, probation violations, and incidents of driving with a suspended or revoked license.
