A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after police say the SUV she was driving traveled the wrong way down a Los Angeles street, ran a red light and slammed into a Metro bus, killing two passengers.
The Los Angeles Police Department identified the driver as 36-year-old Simi Valley resident Bailee Lynn Rios. She was booked on suspicion of murder, with bail set at $4 million. Police said the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
The arrest follows Tuesday evening’s collision at De Soto Avenue and Nordhoff Street in Chatsworth, where two people died and six others were taken to hospitals.
ABC7 reported that the Los Angeles County medical examiner identified the two people killed as Gage Weida, 31, and Daniel Castillo, 46.
Wrong Way
Embedded media follows; please allow a moment to load.
The Expedition was traveling south in the northbound lanes of De Soto Avenue at about 5 p.m., according to LAPD. Police said it ran a red light at Nordhoff Street, nearly struck an eastbound vehicle and then collided with the Metro bus, which was also traveling east.
The force of the collision fully ejected one passenger from the bus and partially ejected another. Debris also struck a 2024 Honda CR-V that had been stopped facing north on De Soto Avenue.
A witness who spoke with ABC7 described seeing the SUV approach at “freeway speed” before the impact. LAPD has not publicly provided a measured speed for the Expedition.
Eight Patients
Los Angeles Fire Department crews treated eight patients following the crash. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene, while six others were taken to hospitals.
LAPD later said one passenger suffered severe injuries. Five other passengers suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
At least 60 firefighters responded to the scene, where crews worked to reach people trapped inside the damaged vehicles.
The Arrest
Police identified Rios as the driver of the 2004 Ford Expedition and booked her on suspicion of murder.
Her arrest does not mean prosecutors have formally filed a murder charge. LAPD said the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
Rios remained held on $4 million bail following her booking.
The LAPD Valley Traffic Division continues to investigate the collision.