Bailee Lynn Rios: Was driver behind Chatsworth tragedy arrested? Here’s all to know

A single afternoon and evening in the Los Angeles community of Chatsworth turned into a compounding tragedy this week: a wrong-way SUV crash into a Metro bus left two people dead and several injured, and hours later, the news helicopter sent to cover that very crash went down nearby, killing its two-person crew and a third person on the ground.

How the Bus Crash Happened

The first crash occurred Tuesday afternoon near the intersection of Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue in the San Fernando Valley. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, a 2004 Ford Expedition was travelling south in the northbound lanes of De Soto Avenue when its driver ran a red light, narrowly missed striking another vehicle, and collided with an eastbound Metro Line 166 bus.

The impact was severe enough that the SUV ended up partially inside the bus, and one bus passenger was ejected from the vehicle. Firefighter-paramedics worked to free people trapped in the wreckage, some of whom suffered what authorities described as “crushing” injuries. One bus passenger suffered severe injuries, while the rest of the injured passengers’ conditions were not considered life-threatening. In total, six people were hurt.

The Los Angeles County medical examiner identified the two people killed as 46-year-old Daniel Castillo and 31-year-old Gage Weida.

The Driver’s Arrest

Police identified the SUV’s driver as 36-year-old Bailee Lynn Rios of Simi Valley, who was among those injured in the crash. The LAPD said Rios is suspected of reckless driving, running a red light, and possible driving under the influence. She has been arrested on suspicion of murder and was held on $4 million bond, with the case forwarded to county prosecutors for consideration of criminal charges.

The Helicopter Crash That Followed

As news crews responded to cover the bus crash, a helicopter known as NewsChopper4 — providing aerial coverage for NBC4 (NBCLA) and Telemundo 52 — crashed later Tuesday in a storage business parking lot in Chatsworth. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed three people died in the crash, which broke out in flames on impact.

A witness described the helicopter as appearing to “sway” before gradually losing altitude ahead of the crash, telling reporters something “didn’t look right” in the moments beforehand. The exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

Who Was on Board

Two of the three people killed were the helicopter’s crew: journalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw. The pair had flown together since 2023, logging hundreds of hours in the air covering breaking news across Southern California, from the January 2025 wildfires to countless police pursuits, and were often described by colleagues as the newsroom’s “eyes and ears in the sky.”

Moreno, known on social media as “Eli in the heli,” was from Orange County and held a degree in broadcast journalism and political science from Chapman University. She is survived by her fiancé.

Marciniw grew up in Southern California and graduated from Burbank High School in 1974. He had more than 30 years of flight experience and, alongside his piloting work, trained aspiring pilots. A friend and former student, Esteban Jimenez, said he had known Marciniw since the 1990s and had spoken with him just days before the crash about aviation and retirement plans.

The identity of the third victim, who was on the ground at the crash site, had not been released by authorities as of this report.

Statements and Reaction

NBC4 and Telemundo 52 released a joint statement following the crash: “We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”

Colleagues at the station shared personal tributes to both Moreno and Marciniw on air in the hours following the crash, describing them as fixtures of Southern California’s local news coverage for years.

The Investigation

Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrived at the helicopter crash site Wednesday morning to begin their investigation into what caused the aircraft to go down. As with most aviation accident investigations, a preliminary report is typically expected within weeks, with a full determination of cause often taking considerably longer.

FAQ

What happened in the Chatsworth bus crash? A Ford Expedition SUV travelling the wrong way on De Soto Avenue ran a red light and collided with an eastbound Metro Line 166 bus at the intersection with Nordhoff Street, killing two people and injuring six others.

Why did the news helicopter crash in Chatsworth? The cause has not yet been determined. A witness described the helicopter swaying before it gradually lost altitude and crashed into a storage business parking lot, where it caught fire. The NTSB is investigating.

Who were Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw? Eliana Moreno was an aerial journalist for NBCLA and Telemundo 52, known as “Eli in the heli.” George Marciniw was her longtime pilot, with more than 30 years of flight experience. Both died when their helicopter, NewsChopper4, crashed while covering the Metro bus crash.

Was the SUV driver arrested? Yes. Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, of Simi Valley, was arrested on suspicion of murder and held on $4 million bond. Police suspect reckless driving, running a red light, and possible DUI. The case has been forwarded to prosecutors.

How many people died in total across both crashes? Five people died in total: two in the initial bus crash (Daniel Castillo and Gage Weida) and three in the subsequent helicopter crash (Eliana Moreno, George Marciniw, and one unidentified person on the ground).

Is the NTSB investigating the helicopter crash? Yes. NTSB officials arrived at the crash site the morning after the incident to begin examining the wreckage and determine what caused the aircraft to go down.

Was anyone else injured in the bus crash? Yes. Six people were injured in total, including the SUV driver. One bus passenger suffered severe injuries; the others were not considered life-threatening.