Driver Faces Murder Charges in LA Bus Crash Linked to Helicopter Tragedy

WHO:

NBC News - Rios was arrested on a Wednesday following the crash.

The Guardian - Rios is being held on $4.1 million bail.

NBC News - Rios is expected to be arraigned on September 18.

NBC News - Rios is expected to be arraigned on Friday.

NBC News - Rios' friend, Brad Aragon, confirmed she had struggled with addiction in the past and went to rehab at least once.

NBC News - Rios' mother, Cindy Rios, expressed shock and sadness over the events.

The Guardian - The two passengers killed in the bus crash were identified as Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31.

The Guardian - Rios is being held on $4.1 million bail.

NBC News - Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, is the driver charged in the incident.

NBC News - Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman commented on the case.

NBC News - Reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw were killed in the helicopter crash.

NBC News - Edy Gutierrez Mejia, a pedestrian, also died in the helicopter crash.

NBC News - Rios' mother, Cindy Rios, and friend, Brad Aragon, provided statements about her.

WHAT:

NBC News - Rios faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

NBC News - Rios was found with drugs in her car after the crash.

NBC News - One bus passenger was fully ejected and another was partially ejected during the crash.

NBC News - Rios was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, driving under the influence of a drug, and reckless driving.

NBC News - Rios is being held on $4 million bail.

NBC News - Rios faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The Guardian - Rios has been charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of the two people on the bus.

The Guardian - A vigil was planned to honor the victims of both crashes.

NBC News - Rios has been charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence of a drug, and reckless driving.

NBC News - The crash killed two passengers on the bus.

NBC News - Rios is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.

NBC News - Rios was found with drugs in her car after the crash.

NBC News - One bus passenger was fully ejected and another was partially ejected during the crash.

NBC News - Rios is being held on $4 million bail.

WHERE:

NBC News - The incident occurred in Chatsworth, a neighborhood in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley.

NBC News - The helicopter was providing coverage for NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52.

WHEN:

The Guardian - Rios is set to be arraigned on September 18.

NBC News - Rios is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

NBC News - Rios was arrested on a Wednesday following the crash.

NBC News - Rios is expected to be arraigned on a Friday.

WHY:

NBC News - Prosecutors suspect Rios was driving under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash.

NBC News - Hochman described the incident as a "preventable tragedy."

HOW:

NBC News - Rios drove her 2004 Ford Expedition the wrong way down a busy street, ran a red light, and hit a car before colliding with the bus.

The Guardian - The helicopter lost altitude and crashed after the crew broadcast an alarm indicating a potential loss of engine power.

NBC News - Rios drove her 2004 Ford Expedition the wrong way down a busy street, ran a red light, and hit a car before colliding with the bus.

NBC News - Rios was driving well beyond the speed limit and entered opposing traffic as she approached a red light.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 18:00 UTC)

Rios was arrested following a crash where she drove her 2004 Ford Expedition the wrong way down a busy street, ran a red light, and collided with a bus, resulting in one passenger being fully ejected and another partially ejected. She is being held on $4.1 million bail and is expected to be arraigned on September 18, facing a maximum sentence of life in prison as prosecutors suspect she was driving under the influence of drugs at the time. Authorities found drugs in her vehicle after the incident, which has raised serious concerns about her actions leading up to the crash.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 07:07 UTC)

Rios has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder, driving under the influence of a drug, and reckless driving, and she is currently being held on a $4 million bail. Prosecutors suspect that Rios was under the influence when she drove her 2004 Ford Expedition the wrong way down a busy street, ran a red light, and collided with a bus after hitting another car. She is scheduled to be arraigned in court on Friday and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 03:59 UTC)

In a tragic incident, the two passengers killed in a recent bus crash have been identified as Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31, while Rios, who has been charged with two counts of murder related to their deaths, is currently being held on a bail of $4.1 million. A vigil is set to take place to honor the victims of both the bus crash and another related incident. Authorities reported that a helicopter lost altitude and crashed after the crew issued an alarm indicating a potential loss of engine power.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 03:01 UTC)

Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, has been charged with second-degree murder and other offenses after a tragic helicopter crash in Chatsworth, which resulted in the deaths of NBC reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and pedestrian Edy Gutierrez Mejia. Rios was allegedly driving under the influence of drugs when she drove her Ford Expedition the wrong way, ran a red light, and collided with a bus, leading to the deaths of two passengers on board. She is currently being held on $4 million bail and is expected to be arraigned on a Friday, facing a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.