Suspect in Fatal LA Bus Crash Set for Court Appearance
WHO:
NY Post - Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, of Simi Valley, is the suspect in the fatal bus crash.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges against Rios.
ABC7 Los Angeles - L.A. Mayor Karen Bass spoke at a community vigil honoring the victims.
WHAT:
ABC7 Los Angeles - New video shows Bailee Lynn Rios moments after the crash, appearing bloodied and dazed as witnesses approached her vehicle.
CNN - Rios was driving a Ford Expedition when she ran a red light and crashed into the bus, which was carrying passengers returning home from work.
CNN - Rios had narcotics inside her SUV at the time of the crash.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios's bail was set at $4.1 million, differing from the previously reported $4.03 million.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios was supposed to appear in court but missed the hearing for medical reasons.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios was transported to court after missing her initial court appearance.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios was wheeled into court on a stretcher and was deemed not medically fit for arraignment.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios's bail was set at $4.1 million, differing from the previously reported $4.03 million.
CNN - A preliminary report on the helicopter crash is expected in 30 days, with a final report detailing probable cause taking up to 18 months.
NY Post - Rios has been charged with two counts of second degree murder.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios is also charged with DUI and reckless driving.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios was speeding and high on drugs when she crashed into the bus, killing two people and injuring five others, two critically.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios was booked with bail set at $4.03 million.
ABC7 Los Angeles - If convicted, Rios faces up to life in prison.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Hundreds of people attended a vigil to honor the victims of the crashes.
WHERE:
NY Post - The crash occurred in Chatsworth, Los Angeles.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios is expected to appear in Los Angeles Superior Court in San Fernando.
WHEN:
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios is scheduled to appear in court on a future Friday.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios is expected to make her first court appearance on a future Friday.
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios was booked on a Wednesday morning.
WHY:
ABC7 Los Angeles - District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated, "We will hold Ms. Rios fully accountable for her actions. She didn't have to blow through the red light at full force and that was a choice by her."
ABC7 Los Angeles - Prosecutors allege Rios made a choice to run a red light at full force, leading to deadly consequences.
HOW:
ABC7 Los Angeles - Rios was allegedly high on drugs and speeding when she crashed into the bus.
(UPDATED September 20, 2026 14:56 UTC)
New video footage shows Bailee Lynn Rios moments after a crash, appearing bloodied and dazed as witnesses approached her vehicle. Rios was driving a Ford Expedition when she ran a red light and collided with a bus carrying passengers returning home from work, and authorities found narcotics inside her SUV at the time of the incident. Her bail has been set at $4.1 million, and she is scheduled to appear in court on a future Friday, as District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized the need to hold her fully accountable for her actions.
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(UPDATED September 20, 2026 02:57 UTC)
Rios was transported to court on a stretcher after missing her initial appearance due to medical reasons, but she was deemed not medically fit for arraignment. Her bail has been set at $4.1 million, which is an increase from the previously reported amount of $4.03 million. Additionally, a preliminary report on the helicopter crash is expected in 30 days, with a final report detailing the probable cause anticipated to take up to 18 months.
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(UPDATED September 19, 2026 16:00 UTC)
Bailee Lynn Rios, a 36-year-old from Simi Valley, has been charged with two counts of second degree murder, DUI, and reckless driving following a fatal bus crash in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, where she allegedly ran a red light while high on drugs and speeding, resulting in two deaths and five injuries, two of which are critical. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges, and Rios is currently being held on bail set at $4.03 million, facing the possibility of life in prison if convicted. A community vigil honoring the victims drew hundreds of attendees, while Rios is expected to make her first court appearance on a future Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court in San Fernando.