A woman accused of causing the Chatsworth Metro bus crash that killed two passengers has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder after prosecutors alleged she was impaired by drugs.
Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, of Simi Valley, is also charged with driving under the influence of a drug causing injury and reckless driving on a highway, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege that Rios was driving a Ford Expedition at high speed on the wrong side of the road shortly after 5pm on Tuesday, 15 September. She is accused of running a red light at the junction of Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue before crashing into a Metro Line 166 bus.
Two passengers died at the scene. They have been identified as Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31. At least five other people were injured, including two who were critically hurt, while Rios was taken to hospital after being pulled from the wreckage.
Los Angeles County district attorney Nathan Hochman said investigators believed Rios was under the influence of drugs and that narcotics had been found inside the SUV. Drug paraphernalia and suspected methamphetamine were also reportedly recovered from her belongings, although laboratory testing and toxicology results had not been publicly released.
“The defendant Bailee Lynn Rios allegedly made the choice to drive while impaired on the wrong side of the road through a red light well above the speed limit,” Mr Hochman said.
Surveillance footage showed the SUV crossing into the path of the bus at speed. One passenger was ejected and another was partially ejected in the collision, according to investigators.
Chatsworth Metro bus crash followed by helicopter tragedy
The crash was followed roughly two hours later by a separate tragedy nearby, when a news helicopter covering the scene came down and caught fire.
The helicopter’s pilot, George Marciniw, reporter Eliana Moreno and a man on the ground, Edy Gutierrez Mejia, were killed. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the aircraft crash, and no connection between the two incidents has been established.
Mr Hochman said prosecutors would consider whether the investigations revealed any legal link between the crashes. Rios has not been charged in connection with the helicopter deaths.
Rios was due to appear at San Fernando courthouse on Friday, 18 September. Prosecutors have requested bail of $4.1 million, and the district attorney’s office said she could face life in prison with the possibility of parole if convicted.
The charges are allegations, and Rios is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
