Story perspectives

Woman Charged After SUV Hit Killed Metro Bus Passengers

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 10:51 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Rios Charged After Crash

Bailee Lynn Rios was charged with murder, DUI and reckless driving after her SUV hit a Metro bus.
The September 15 crash at Nordhoff and De Soto, Chatsworth killed Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31.
A news helicopter covering the scene crashed, killing pilot George Marciniw, reporter Eliana Moreno, and pedestrian Edy Gutierrez Mejia.
Rios was held on $4.1 million bail and arraigned on September 18.

Summary

Newsom Thanks Responders

A news-helicopter crash killed 16 people, marking the eighth fatal U.S. news-helicopter accident since 2000.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass thanked first responders and offered condolences to victims’ families.
The NTSB and FAA will lead the crash investigation, dispatching investigators on Wednesday.
More than 70 firefighters and dozens of police vehicles extinguished flames that ignited four cars and two storage containers.

History

Historical Context

On 15 September 2026 a KNBC/KVEA news helicopter crashed in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, killing three crew members and injuring two. The accident echoes earlier news-gathering tragedies, such as the 11 September 1979 Phoenix crash of a KTVK helicopter and the 27 July 2007 Phoenix mid-air collision of two news choppers. These incidents have kept helicopter safety a persistent concern for broadcasters.

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Rios Charged After Crash

Bailee Lynn Rios was charged with murder, DUI and reckless driving after her SUV hit a Metro bus.
The September 15 crash at Nordhoff and De Soto, Chatsworth killed Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31.
A news helicopter covering the scene crashed, killing pilot George Marciniw, reporter Eliana Moreno, and pedestrian Edy Gutierrez Mejia.
Rios was held on $4.1 million bail and arraigned on September 18.

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