Woman arrested in Chatsworth bus crash that left 2 dead, 6 injured
Video shows SUV crashing into Metro bus in Chatsworth
New dashcam footage shows the moments an SUV ran a red light and crashed into a Metro bus in Chatsworth, killing two people.
LOS ANGELES - The suspect accused of causing a fatal crash involving an LA Metro bus in Chatsworth that left two people dead and six others injured was arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday, officials said.
What we know:
Los Angeles Fire Department crews were called to the intersection of Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday following a collision involving a 2004 Ford Expedition and an LA Metro bus.
"A Metro Line 166 bus traveling eastbound on Nordhoff Street was struck by a vehicle traveling southbound on De Soto Avenue," according to LA Metro officials.
UPDATE: Bailee Rios: Drugs found in SUV of driver charged in fatal Chatsworth Metro bus crash, sources say
Los Angeles Police Department investigators said one person was ejected from the bus, while a second passenger was partially ejected. In addition, the debris from the crash also damaged a Honda SUV.
Two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, and six others were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Driver in Chatsworth crash had history of substance abuse, relative says
Bailee Rios is being held on $4 million bail after running a red light and crashing into a Metro bus, killing two. FOX 11 spoke to a relative of hers who said she has a history of substance abuse and prior misdemeanors.
SUV driver arrested
The driver of the SUV, identified as 36-year-old Bailee Rios, of Simi Valley, survived the collision.
"She was going lightning fast," a witness told FOX 11.
Rios was pulled from the wreckage and taken to a hospital for treatment. She was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder. Her bail was set at $4 million.
Bailee Rios
According to Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division, her SUV ran a red light at Nordhoff Street and crashed into the bus.
It's unclear why she ran a red light, and it's unclear if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.
On Thursday, Sept. 17, Los Angeles County District Nathan Hochman announced she will be charged with second-degree murder.
What they're saying:
Rios' long-time friend, Brad Aragon, told FOX 11 she did computer work for his company, Federal Toolbox, and can't believe she would have been intoxicated because both of them have been sober for years. His heart breaks, he says, for all the victims and their families, not only in the bus crash, but the news helicopter crash that followed.
"There is no excuse," he insists, adding, "Please, let people know that Bailee is not a monster and we are all devastated and in utter shock over this."
Rios is the mother of young twins, he explained, who are in the care of her family.
Bus crash victims identified
The LA County Medical Examiner's Office identified the two crash victims as 31-year-old Gage Weida and 46-year-old Daniel Castillo.
Second tragedy strikes hours later
The fatal collision occurred roughly two hours before a news helicopter covering the scene crashed nearby, killing three people, bringing the total death toll in the Chatsworth tragedy to five.
The two victims inside the helicopter were identified as aerial reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw who provided coverage for NBCLA and Telemundo 52.
Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw
SUGGESTED COVERAGE: NBCLA helicopter crash in Chatsworth leaves 3 dead hours after deadly bus collision
What's next:
An arraignment date for Rios is set for Friday, Sept. 18. The case now moves to the LA County District Attorney's Office for consideration, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will join the LAPD in the investigation.
The Source: This story was written with information from the Los Angeles Police and Fire departments, as well as witness interviews.