Woman arrested for murder over LA bus crash NBC journalist was covering when helicopter crashed
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A woman accused of causing a deadly Los Angeles Metro bus crash has been charged with murder, hours after an NBC helicopter covering the collision crashed nearby. Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, was charged Wednesday, September 16, after the bus crash killed Gage Weida, 31, and Daniel Castillo, 46.
The NBC helicopter later went down in a nearby parking lot, killing reporter Eliana Moreno, 38, pilot George Marciniw, 70, and a third person on the ground.
The tragedy unfolded live as NBC reporter Robert Kovacik rushed from the first crash scene toward the smoke, unaware that his own colleagues were inside the downed helicopter.
The LAPD has arrested 36‑year‑old Bailee Lynn Rios of Simi Valley, CA after she crashed her SUV into a Metro bus in Chatsworth on Tuesday, killing two.
— Scott M (@EODWX5) September 16, 2026
The victims on the bus have been identified as Gage Weida, 31, and Daniel Castillo, 46.
The crash was being covered by a KNBC… pic.twitter.com/zYAK646yZK
Bailee Lynn Rios faces murder charge after deadly LA Metro bus crash
Rios was driving an SUV when it crashed into a Metro Line 166 bus at around 5 pm Tuesday. Witnesses said the SUV was traveling at “freeway speed” before hitting the side of the bus.
Two people on the bus died, and six others were injured. Police said Rios was suspected of reckless driving, running a red light and possible DUI, which was still being tested.
Rios was held on $4.03 million bail. LAPD said it would present the charges to the district attorney while continuing to investigate the collision.
The crash brought a major emergency response, with more than 70 fire department personnel at the scene. Images showed the front half of the Ford SUV embedded in the bus as crews worked to rescue passengers.
Robert Kovacik races toward NBC helicopter crash
An NBC News helicopter was sent to cover the bus collision. While Kovacik was reporting from the first crash, the NBC4 studio suddenly told him to move toward a large plume of smoke.
“Robert, we need you to move,” an anchor told him. “We’re going to need you to move towards that smoke and get closer to that scene immediately.” The station said there could be an aircraft down, but at that point did not know what had happened.
As Kovacik reached the area, he pleaded with police and firefighters to let him through. “Trust me, I am putting my own life in my own hands,” he said. “Dude, that’s my crew in there, that is my own crew.”
A police officer responded, “We are gonna get them evacuated. This isn’t safe.”
Kovacik later encountered Fox 11 reporter Ed Laskos, who told him, “It’s a chopper, a media chopper.”
“It’s a chopper?” Kovacik repeated.
“Yes, it’s a media chopper,” Laskos replied.
Kovacik then asked, “Are you ok? It’s not you guys, is it?” as flames rose behind him.
Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw killed in helicopter crash
The helicopter was identified as NBC’s NewsChopper4. Moreno and Marciniw were killed along with a third person on the ground.
Moreno was a veteran aerial reporter who had covered police pursuits, wildfires, traffic and major events. She had worked with NBC4 and Telemundo and had been flying in news helicopters for years.
Marciniw was an experienced pilot who had logged more than 14,000 helicopter flight hours. He and Moreno had been flying together since 2023.
Audio from inside the helicopter captured Marciniw saying “uh oh” before Moreno asked, “You can’t pull up?”
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 said in a statement, “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.”
NBC4 mourns as investigation begins
The full impact of the crash became clear when NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams spoke to viewers through tears.
“We are not in contact with our television news helicopter,” Williams said. “We have lost contact with our people.”
LA Fire Department Captain Branden Silverman said the helicopter was “pretty well destroyed.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she was “absolutely devastated by the loss of life in Chatsworth tonight.”
This is a tragic night for Los Angeles. 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.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) September 16, 2026
I’m deeply grateful to our firefighters, paramedics, and… pic.twitter.com/3vCDwoQilg
“My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we lost in the tragic bus collision and helicopter crash,” she said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also offered condolences, saying, “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.”
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the helicopter crash. The cause has not been determined.
