Chatsworth crash suspect misses third court hearing as medical examiner confirms helicopter reporter’s cause of death

Key points

• Bailee Rios missed her third court appearance on Monday, September 21, 2026, due to medical issues, including a broken bone and withdrawal symptoms.
• Rios is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, DUI, and reckless driving for crashing her SUV into a Metro bus in Chatsworth on September 15, 2026, killing Daniel Castillo and Gage Weida.
• The coroner confirmed Eliana Moreno, an NBC4 reporter killed in a helicopter crash two hours after the bus collision, died from blunt force trauma and thermal injuries.
• The NTSB and FAA are investigating the helicopter crash that killed Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and bystander Edy Gutierrez Mejia, with a preliminary report expected in 30 days.
• Rios is held in lieu of $4.1 million bail and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

Background

The Chatsworth bus crash occurred on September 15, 2026, when Bailee Rios allegedly drove a gray Ford Expedition into a Metro bus while under the influence of drugs. Two passengers, Daniel Castillo (46) and Gage Weida (31), were killed, and six others were injured. Rios had prior drug-related convictions but had previously participated in diversion programs. The crash led to a chain of events, including a helicopter crash two hours later that killed three more people, including NBC4 reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw.

How outlets are covering it

ABC7 Los Angeles emphasizes Rios’s repeated court absences and the frustration of the victims' families, highlighting her medical condition and the DA’s ongoing investigation into the drugs involved. CNN provides a detailed timeline of the dual tragedies, focusing on the emotional toll on the community and the first responders, while noting the NTSB’s investigation into the helicopter crash. The New York Post focuses on the coroner’s findings regarding Eliana Moreno’s cause of death and includes a pilot’s speculation about the helicopter crash, suggesting a potential in-flight emergency. NBC Los Angeles shares personal tributes to Moreno, highlighting her career and the impact of her death on her family and colleagues.

Why it matters

The case highlights the severe consequences of drug-impaired driving and the cascading effects of a single incident on multiple lives. The repeated court absences of the suspect raise questions about the justice system’s ability to handle high-profile cases, while the ongoing NTSB investigation into the helicopter crash underscores the need for thorough safety reviews in aerial journalism. The tragedy has sparked community grief and calls for accountability, with the DA considering additional charges if the NTSB investigation links the helicopter crash to the bus collision.

What to watch

Rios’s next court appearance will be scheduled once she is deemed medically fit by doctors and a judge. The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report on the helicopter crash in 30 days, followed by a final report in up to 18 months. The LA County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, has stated that he will consider additional charges against Rios if the NTSB investigation finds a tie-in between the bus crash and the helicopter crash. The victims' families are expected to attend funerals and vigils in the coming days, with Weida’s family traveling to LA for his funeral instead of his birthday celebration.