Chatsworth crash suspect pleads not guilty to murder charges after delayed court appearance

Key points

• Rios pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, one felony DUI count, and one misdemeanor reckless driving count at San Fernando Superior Court.
• The Sept. 15 crash killed Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31, while injuring five others; Rios allegedly ran a red light and drove at high speed while impaired by drugs.
• Rios was transported to court on a gurney with visible bruising and garbled speech, having missed prior arraignments due to medical issues.
• Approximately two hours after the bus crash, an NBC4 news helicopter crashed nearby, killing reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and pedestrian Edy Gutierrez Mejia.
• Rios faces a maximum sentence of life in prison; her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 2, 2026.

Background

Rios was initially charged in mid-September after her Ford Expedition slammed into an LA Metro bus in Chatsworth. Previous arraignments were repeatedly postponed due to her medical condition and withdrawal symptoms. The incident occurred during a period of heightened scrutiny on news helicopter safety, as the subsequent crash killed three people, including a prominent aerial photojournalist.

How outlets are covering it

ABC7 and CNN emphasize the procedural delays and the severe physical condition of Rios during her court appearance, noting her garbled speech and need for medical transport. The New York Post highlights pre-crash text messages where Rios expressed fear to a friend, suggesting prior distress. Vulture focuses on the cultural impact of the subsequent helicopter crash, mourning Eliana Moreno as a beloved figure in the police-chase livestreaming community. All sources agree on the fatal outcomes and the 'preventable' nature of the bus crash, but differ in emphasis: legal proceedings versus the broader media and community grief.

Why it matters

The case underscores the severe consequences of impaired driving in high-traffic urban areas and the cascading risks faced by emergency and news responders. The dual tragedy has prompted investigations by the NTSB and FAA into the helicopter crash, while the legal case against Rios serves as a high-profile example of DUI-related murder charges in California.

What to watch

Rios is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 2, 2026. The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report on the helicopter crash within 30 days, with a final probable cause report potentially taking up to 18 months. The legal defense will likely challenge the timing and medical fitness of the proceedings.