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Driver who slammed into a Metro bus in Chatsworth was under the influence, LA DA says

A heavily damaged SUV sits crushed against the side of an orange Metro bus at night.
Police and LA Metro investigate the scene of a crash between an SUV and an LA Metro Bus that left two people dead on Tuesday in Chatsworth.
(
Ronaldo Bolanos
/
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
)

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Topline:

The driver connected to the tragic bus crash in Chatsworth on Tuesday night is facing two second-degree murder charges, as well as charges for driving under the influence and reckless driving. Bailee Lynn Rios is expected to be arraigned Friday, according to L.A. District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

What possible punishment is she facing? Hochman announced Thursday that his office was seeking the maximum sentence of life in prison for the 36-year-old driver.

What else is there? Drugs were found in her system at the time of the crash, Hochman said. His office did not share what kind of drugs.

Adding to the tragedy, an NBC4 helicopter covering the incident also crashed nearby, killing pilot George Marciniw and reporter Eliana Moreno, as well as a pedestrian, Edy Gutierrez Mejia.

Rios, who is in custody, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Background: Rios sped through a red light and plowed her SUV into a Metro bus, killing two passengers, Daniel Castillo and Gage Weida. Five other passengers were injured, according to prosecutors.

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