2 dead, 6 others hurt after LA Metro bus, SUV crash in Chatsworth
SUV driver facing murder charges in deadly Metro crash
Two people were killed and six others taken to the hospital, including the driver of the SUV believed to have caused the crash.
LOS ANGELES - A deadly crash is under investigation in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley.
What we know:
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call of a crash involving an SUV and a Los Angeles Metro bus in the 20900 block of Nordhoff Street around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
LAFD said the crash killed at least two people and left at six others hurt.
Chatsworth bus crash: At least one dead, several injured
At least one person died after an SUV crashed into a bus in Chatsworth. Emergency crews are working to rescue several others.
SUV crashes into Metro bus
According to Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division, a gray 2004 Ford Expedition was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes on De Soto Avenue when it ran a red light at Nordhoff Street, nearly striking a vehicle traveling eastbound on Nordhoff. The Expedition then crashed into a Metro Bus traveling eastbound on Nordhoff. The impact fully ejected one passenger from the bus and partially ejected a second.
Debris from the collision also damaged a blue 2024 Honda CR-V that was nearby.
Two adults were declared dead at the scene. They were identified by the county medical examiner as Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31. Castillo died on the bus and Weida died on the street, according to the examiner's report.
Six people were transported to the hospital in varying conditions from severe to non-life-threatening.
The driver of the Expedition was identified as 36-year-old Bailee Lynn Rios of Simi Valley. She was booked for murder with bail set at $4,000,000.
Second tragedy strikes
Hours after the crash, a news helicopter crashed a short distance away from the bus crash scene. Three people were pronounced dead at the NBC4 helicopter crash scene, raising the death toll of the two incidents to five.
NBCLA identified two of the people aboard the news helicopter as aerial reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw. The third person who died was identified as Edy Gutierrez Mejia, who was reportedly walking on the street when the helicopter crashed.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 released the following statement in the wake of the deadly crash:
"We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives."
The National Transportation Safety Board issued the following statement in response to the news helicopter crash:
"We are investigating. An NTSB investigator is expected to arrive on scene tomorrow morning. We continue to gather information at this time."
Witness describes news helicopter crash
A witness describes what she saw from the deadly news helicopter crash scene in Chatsworth.
LA Metro issued the following statement in the wake of the deadly crash:
"Metro extends its condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.
Metro thanks the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for their prompt response to the scene. The Los Angeles Police Department is leading the investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact the LA Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-TIPS or 800-222-8477."
What we don't know:
It's unclear what caused the helicopter crash.
The Source: This report used information provided by the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, and the LA County Medical Examiner.