ST. Accused bus crash killer found with drugs after wreck that led to deadly LA helicopter crash
The suspect accused of speeding her SUV into a Los Angeles Metro bus, killing two people, was found with drugs in her possession after the crash, investigators said. Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, was discovered with suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on her following the deadly Tuesday wreck, sources with knowledge of the investigation told the California Post. Sign up for the California Morning Report newsletter The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now. Enter your email address By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. ADVERTISEMENT Bailee Rios, the driver accused of colliding with a Los Angeles Metro bus.
Rios missed her court appearance on Thursday as she remains hospitalized with injuries from the crash, which killed two people and injured several others. She is facing murder charges in connection with the collision. Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn California Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X California Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here! California Post App: Download here! Home delivery: Sign up here! Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here! An NBC helicopter covering the crash plunged from of the sky Tuesday night, killing reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw and pedestrian Edy Gutierrez Mejia. ADVERTISEMENT NBC4/Telemundo 52’s NewsChopper4 suffered a catastrophic loss of altitude while broadcasting over the scene. Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw pose for a photo in front of an NBC4 helicopter. 7 Reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw were killed in an NBC4 helicopter crash. George Marciniw / Facebook NTSB investigator-in-charge Fabian Salazar examines the Eurocopter AS 350 B2 helicopter after it crashed in Chatsworth, California. 7 Investigators at the scene of the crash in Chatsworth. NTSB Rios, who is currently being held on $4.03 million bail, is suspected of reckless driving and running a red light combined with possible DUI, police said. ADVERTISEMENT The massive baila amount reflects the heinous nature of the charges, former Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva told the California Post. “It’s consistent with the severity of the crime,” he said. A friend of Rios, Brad Aragon, told The Post that Rios had “big concerns lately,” revealing a text she sent to him only hours before the crash. “Brad, it’s not a joking matter on this bf thing its serious and im honestly scared but yes of course imma come see you,” read a text from Rios sent at 1:24 p.m. Tuesday — only hours before her SUV slammed into the side of the Metro bus. AdChoices Ad Choices Icon Sponsored Bailee Rios, accused of driving an SUV that collided with a Los Angeles Metro bus. 7 Rios is currently being held on $4.03 million bail. Facebook/@bailee.rios.9 “She was saying lately that she was associating with certain people that she shouldn’t be associating with,” said her friend, Brad Aragon. “I was going to help her with that.” Rios’ uncle told Fox 11 that she battled drug addiction for 15 years. “She literally, when she was young, tried something once and never came back,” he said. ADVERTISEMENT Rios has previous cases for drug possession, speeding and driving without a license, as well as burglary and shoplifting, the outlet reported. Emergency personnel near a damaged Metro bus after a helicopter crash in Chatsworth, Los Angeles.
Rios’ vehicle slammed into the bus shortly after 5 p.m. on Nordhoff Street near De Soto Avenue in Chatsworth. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock Footage obtained exclusively by the California Post showed the moment Rios’ vehicle slammed into the bus shortly after 5 p.m. on Nordhoff Street near De Soto Avenue, becoming lodged inside the coach. In the video, the SUV can be seen colliding with the bus, sending debris flying. Additional surveillance footage from another angle shows the vehicle speeding into the frame before slamming into the bus.
