SUV driver in deadly LA Metro bus crash unmasked — as two dead are ID’d

An SUV driver accused of plowing into a Los Angeles Metro bus that killed two people before a news helicopter crashed nearby has been identified as a 36-year-old mom.

Bailee Lynn Rios was booked in connection with the deadly Tuesday collision and is being held on $4.03 million bail, according to booking information.

On Wednesday morning, the LA County Department of the Medical Examiner identified the victims of the bus crash as Gage Weida, 31, and Daniel Castillo, 46.

Weida’s girlfriend, Autumn Reiff, also shared an emotional tribute to the 31-year-old on Facebook Wednesday morning.

“We were so young and in love, my sugar muffin, my boo, my other half, the person that was the closest to me, someone who loved me unconditionally and that I loved back,” Reiff wrote.

The couple had been together for almost a decade, according to Reiff.

“Wake me up from this bad dream, my head hurts so much from crying,” she added. “My world is shattered. I ask the lord why he couldn’t have taken me first.”

An NBC helicopter which was covering the incident fell out of the sky moments later, killing reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw and pedestrian Edy Gutierrez Mejia.

The deadly chain of events began at around 5:03 p.m. Tuesday when the SUV collided with the side of the city bus in Chatsworth, becoming lodged halfway inside the vehicle.

Castillo and Weida were killed and six others were injured, including Rios, according to police. Authorities previously said Rios was suspected of reckless driving, running a red light and possible DUI.

As emergency crews worked to rescue passengers and extricate those trapped inside the bus, multiple television news helicopters arrived over the scene between roughly 6 p.m. and 6:50 p.m. to provide aerial coverage of the rescue operation.

But the deadly bus crash soon gave way to an even more devastating scene when the NBC helicopter covering the wreck plunged from the sky, killing Moreno, Marciniw and Mejia, who was on the ground.

At around 6:55 p.m., the NBC4/Telemundo 52’s NewsChopper4 — operated by Angel City Air — suffered a catastrophic loss of altitude while broadcasting over the Chatsworth crash scene.

An audible low-rotor-RPM warning alarm could be heard in the cockpit moments before it went down.

Crew audio captured a voice saying “uh oh,” followed by “You can’t pull up?” as the helicopter rapidly descended.

The aircraft crashed roughly 1.5 miles from the original bus collision, between two commercial buildings near a storage facility, and burst into flames.

Around 7 p.m., more than 70 firefighters and dozens of police vehicles responded to the helicopter crash. The wreckage ignited four cars and two storage containers before firefighters extinguished the blaze.

The horrifying development was confirmed live on NBC4, where anchor Colleen Williams broke down after learning the station had lost contact with its crew and that NewsChopper4 had crashed.

NBC4 and Telemundo 52 released a statement late Tuesday mourning those killed in the helicopter 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,” the stations said.

Tuesday night’s two crashes left at least five people dead and multiple others injured, authorities said.

“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.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath visited the scene following the deadly crashes.

“This is a tragic night for Los Angeles,” Bass said. “My thoughts are with those impacted by the bus collision and the helicopter crash, and with the entire NBC4 family who lost members of their team while they were doing their jobs.”

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the helicopter crash.

The LAPD also issued a statement addressing the back-to-back incidents.

“The LAPD stands with the Chatsworth Community, our media partners, and all those impacted as we collectively grieve and support one another,” the department said in a statement.

“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,” they added.

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