LA Metro bus crash video shows collision before NBC helicopter tragedy in Chatsworth

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A video shows the moment an SUV slammed into an LA Metro bus in Chatsworth, killing two people and injuring six. The crash was later being covered by an NBC LA helicopter when the aircraft went down less than two hours later, killing pilot George Marciniw, reporter Eliana Moreno and a pedestrian.

The two deadly incidents unfolded about 1.5 miles apart on Tuesday, September 15, turning a breaking-news assignment into another tragedy.

Bailee Lynn Rios' SUV crashes into LA Metro bus in Chatsworth

The SUV, driven by 36-year-old Bailee Lynn Rios, was traveling eastbound on Nordhoff Street around 5:03 pm when it crashed into the bus, becoming embedded in the vehicle and sending debris flying.

Two people, Gage Weida, 31, and Daniel Castillo, 46, were killed. Six others were injured, including Rios.

Authorities previously said Rios was suspected of reckless driving, running a red light and possible DUI.

She was booked in connection with the crash and held on $4.03 million bail, according to booking information.

LAPD Valley Traffic Division investigator Harvey Freeman said the investigation was still in its early stages.

“At this point we’re in the early stages of the investigation of this fatal traffic collision. We’re still gathering information. We have a lot of footwork to do in the process,” Freeman told the California Post.

NBC LA colleagues react to George Marciniw and Eliana Moreno’s deaths

The NBC LA helicopter, NewsChopper4, was sent to cover the bus crash as emergency crews worked to rescue passengers and remove those trapped inside.

Pilot George Marciniw and aerial photojournalist Eliana Moreno had worked together for years, covering car chases and wildfires. According to NBC, they had flown “hundreds of hours” together.

Their live video captured the helicopter’s final moments. An audible alarm can be heard before Moreno says, “Uh-oh.”

She then asks, “Can you… you can’t pull up?” as the helicopter shudders and the camera shakes. The footage cuts out as the aircraft rapidly descends.

Marciniw and Moreno were killed when the helicopter crashed near a business parking lot. A nearby pedestrian, 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, was also killed.

Robert Kovacik reports on loss of NBC colleagues

As news of the helicopter crash spread, NBC LA reporters initially did not know which aircraft had gone down.

Longtime NBC LA reporter Robert Kovacik said, “We don’t know where the chopper is from. We don’t know if it even is a chopper. We don’t know if it is a news chopper.”

Later, Kovacik reported from the scene as he mourned his colleagues.

“You think about it ladies, as we deal with this day of dueling tragedies here in Chatsworth, we were just getting ready to come on air for the NBC 4 news at 7:00 tonight, and we were there,” he said.

He added that members of the media, LAFD, LAPD and the community had gathered at the scene.

NTSB investigates helicopter crash using final moments of live video

The NTSB is investigating the helicopter crash, with investigator-in-charge Fabian Salazar saying a preliminary report would be released in 30 days and a final report could take more than a year.

Salazar said the helicopter’s live video was key evidence.

“What we are going to do is get a pristine copy of that recording and send it to our recorder’s lab for a sound spectrum analysis,” he said.

He added that investigators could hear sounds consistent with the engine changing speed, along with tones that were likely advisories to the pilot.

The cause of the helicopter crash remains unknown. Veteran pilot Zoey Tur has speculated that an engine failure may have occurred, but investigators have not yet determined what caused the crash.

NBC4 and Telemundo 52 said, “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.”