2 dead, 6 others injured after SUV runs red light, crashes into Metro bus in San Fernando Valley, LAPD says
Authorities said two people were killed and six other people were injured when a driver ran a red light while driving on the wrong side of the road and collided with a Metro bus in the San Fernando Valley on Tuesday afternoon.
The crash happened just after 5 p.m. in the 20900 block of Nordhoff Street, at the intersection of De Soto Avenue, in the Chatsworth area, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The driver behind the wheel of a gray 2004 Ford Expedition was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of De Soto when she ran a red light at Nordhoff, colliding with the side of a bus.
The impact ejected one passenger fully and partially ejected another. Debris from the crash damaged another vehicle, police said.
The LAPD said one person was found dead on the bus, and another person who was ejected from the bus also died.
On Wednesday morning, the LA County Department of the Medical Examiner identified the victims as Gage Weida, 31, and Daniel Castillo, 46. Late Wednesday, family members of both men spoke with CBS LA to remember their loved ones.
Police also noted that six others were taken to nearby hospitals with injuries sustained in the collision, with one suffering from major injuries. The other five sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The LAPD said Wednesday morning that the driver of the SUV, identified as 36-year-old Bailee Lynn Rios, was arrested on suspicion of murder. She's being held in a local jail on $4 million bail. Police said the LA County District Attorney's Office is evaluating the case.
CBS LA has learned that Rios was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in Ventura County in 2016 and eight years later she was convicted of driving with a suspended or revoked license.
In a statement, Metro said a Line 166 bus was traveling eastbound on Nordhoff Street when it was struck by a vehicle that was going southbound on De Soto Avenue.
"There were two confirmed fatalities, and six people were transported to a local hospital in unknown condition," Metro said in a statement. "Metro extends its condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.
Aerial footage showed an SUV that appeared to have almost driven through the Metro bus at the intersection of Nordhoff and De Soto Avenue. SkyCal was overhead as firefighters worked to dislodge the SUV from the bus to help at least one person who was trapped inside the wreckage.
While emergency crews continued working the scene of the incident, an NBC Los Angeles news helicopter crashed several blocks away. Firefighters said that three people were killed, including two NBCLA employees, after the aircraft erupted in flames and at least one person was taken to a nearby hospital in unknown condition.
On Wednesday, LAPD officials shared a statement on the tragic series of events that occurred in Chatsworth on Tuesday night.
"On behalf of the Los Angeles Police Department, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, colleagues, and loved ones of every individual who lost their life during these tragic incidents," the statement said. "The LAPD recognizes and values the vital role our media partners play in serving our community. Their commitment to informing the public — often in challenging and unpredictable circumstances — is essential to public safety. We honor the dedication and the sacrifices made in that service."
