Two Killed, Six Injured in Devastating LA Metro Bus Crash

A devastating collision between an SUV and an LA Metro bus in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, left two people dead and six others injured Tuesday evening, September 15.

The crash happened shortly after 5 p.m. at the intersection of Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police said a gray 2004 Ford Expedition was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of De Soto Avenue when it allegedly ran a red light at Nordhoff Street and slammed into an eastbound Metro Line 166 bus.

The impact was severe. One passenger was fully ejected from the bus, while another was partially ejected. Debris from the collision also struck another vehicle stopped at the intersection.

Two passengers died as a result of the crash. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified them as Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31.

Six other people were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. One suffered major injuries, while the remaining five were reported to have injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

The SUV driver was identified as Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, of Simi Valley. Police arrested her on suspicion of murder. She was being held on approximately $4 million bail, with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office reviewing the case.

The incident became even more tragic as emergency crews continued responding to the bus crash.

An NBC4 news helicopter covering the collision crashed several blocks away, killing three people, including reporter Eliana “Eli” Moreno and pilot George Marciniw. The helicopter tragedy is being investigated separately by federal aviation authorities.

The two incidents occurring during the same breaking-news response created a devastating chain of events in Chatsworth that evening.

Authorities continue to investigate

Source: KTLA