LA Metro Crash Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to Murder Charges

Bailee Lynn Rios, the suspect accused of fatally crashing her SUV into a Los Angeles Metro bus, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder charges on Thursday. Rios, 36, entered the plea from a hospital gurney at San Fernando Superior Court, appearing with visible bruising on her face and covered by hospital blankets.

Rios faces two counts of second-degree murder, driving under the influence, and reckless driving in connection with the Sept. 15 incident. Her arraignment had been delayed due to ongoing medical recovery from the crash.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that Rios' alleged actions were preventable. "Miss Rios did not have to get behind the wheel while impaired. She did not have to drive on the other side of the road. She did not have to blow through the red light at full force and drive her SUV right into a Metro bus. That was all preventable," Hochman said.

If convicted, Rios faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Authorities discovered suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in her vehicle following the collision.

The crash involving Rios' SUV and the Metro bus initiated a series of events that culminated in the crash of an NBC4 news helicopter. The helicopter crew, en route to cover the bus crash, perished when their aircraft went down in a nearby parking lot. Three people died in the helicopter crash: reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and bystander Edy Gutierrez Mejia.

The victims of the bus crash were identified as Gage Weida, 31, and Daniel Castillo, 46. Castillo was a father of four, and Weida had a longtime partner.

New video footage released after the incident showed Rios appearing dazed and bloody in her vehicle immediately after the crash, with extensive damage visible on both her SUV and the Metro bus.