Bailee Rios, 36, pleaded not guilty after an SUV she allegedly drove the wrong way collided with a Metro bus in Chatsworth on Sept. 15, killing two people and injuring at least five. Prosecutors say she ran a red light while driving at high speed and was under the influence of a drug. Bail was set at $4.1 million, and Rios faces possible life in prison with parole if convicted. She appeared on a gurney and is due back in court on Nov. 2.
Driver Pleads Not Guilty After Wrong-Way Crash That Killed 2; Bail Set at $4.1M
Image Credit: ABC 7.
A California motorist, Bailee Rios, 36, has pleaded not guilty after an SUV she allegedly drove the wrong way down a Chatsworth street collided with an in-service Metro bus on Sept. 15, killing two people and injuring several others.
Allegations and Charges
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office says Rios was traveling at a high rate of speed on the wrong side of the road near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue shortly before the collision. Prosecutors allege she ran a red light and struck the bus while allegedly driving under the influence of a drug.
Rios is charged with two counts of murder, a felony count of driving under the influence of a drug causing injury, and a misdemeanor count of reckless driving.
Victims and Injuries
Two people — Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31 — died as a result of the crash. At least five other people were hurt, including two who were reported in critical condition. The collision occurred at about 5 p.m., according to prosecutors.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Los Angeles firefighters extricated Rios from the SUV at the scene. She was arrested and transported to a hospital for treatment of her injuries. Her arraignment was delayed twice for medical reasons; she later appeared at the San Fernando courthouse on a gurney, where a public defender entered a not-guilty plea and denied the special allegations, according to local reports.
Prosecutors requested bail of $4.1 million. If convicted on the charges as filed, Rios faces a potential maximum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole. The District Attorney's Office emphasized that these are allegations and that Rios is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Next Steps
Rios remains in custody on the $4.1 million bail. She is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 2, when a date for the preliminary hearing is expected to be set. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash as the legal process moves forward.
Note: This article presents allegations made by prosecutors. The defendant is entitled to a presumption of innocence and to a fair legal process.
Help us improve.
