Bailee Lynn Rios: SUV Driver Arrested After LA Metro Bus Collision That Killed 2 Before NBC Helicopter Crash Was Found with Drugs

The suspect accused of speeding her SUV into a Los Angeles Metro bus, killing two people, was found carrying narcotics following the crash, investigators said. Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, was found carrying methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia after the fatal crash on Tuesday, Fox 11 reported.

Rios missed her court hearing on Thursday while she continued to recover in the hospital from injuries sustained in the crash, which left two people dead and several others injured. She has been charged with murder over the collision. An NBC helicopter covering the crash also went down on Tuesday night, killing both reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw and also pedestrian Edy Gutierrez Mejia.

Shocking Revelations

NBC4/Telemundo 52’s NewsChopper4 suffered a sudden and catastrophic loss of altitude while covering the scene from above. Rios is currently being held on $4.03 million bail and is suspected of reckless driving, running a red light and possibly driving under the influence, police said.

Rios’ friend Brad Aragon told the California Post that she had been dealing with “big concerns lately” and shared a message she sent him just 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,” Rios wrote in a text sent at 1:24 p.m. Tuesday, hours before her SUV struck the Metro bus.

“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 had struggled with drug addiction for 15 years. “She literally, when she was young, tried something once and never came back,” he said.

Rios also has a history of cases involving drug possession, speeding and driving without a license, along with burglary and shoplifting charges, according to the outlet.

Unavoidable Double Tragedy

Authorities said the SUV Rios was driving was traveling the wrong way on a busy avenue, ran a red light and struck another vehicle before crashing into the bus. Police have also cited suspected reckless driving and possible DUI as part of the investigation.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified 31-year-old Gage Weida and 46-year-old Daniel Castillo as the two people killed in the bus crash.

Authorities have not determined what caused the helicopter crash. The helicopter accident is being investigated separately by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

“Our hearts are with the victims and families of tonight’s devastating Metro bus and helicopter crashes in Chatsworth, and with the entire NBC4 family,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X.