Bailee Lynn Rios, the Simi Valley woman charged with murder after her SUV slammed head-on into the side of an LA Metro bus in Chatsworth, may not have to show up for her own court proceedings going forward. A judge has granted her a medical waiver tied to injuries from the Sept. 15 crash that killed two bus passengers, even as she remains locked up on $4.1 million bail.
Rios pleaded not guilty on Sept. 24 to two counts of second-degree murder, along with driving under the influence, reckless driving and causing great bodily harm, according to The San Fernando Valley Sun. The collision killed 46-year-old Daniel Castillo and 31-year-old Gage Weida, who were riding the bus, and the Sun reported that six people were injured in the wreck, though ABC7 put the injury count at five other victims besides the two killed.
Superior Court Judge Patrick Hare granted Rios the waiver allowing her to skip routine court appearances because of her medical condition, the station's report notes. Her next court date is scheduled for Nov. 2 in the City of San Fernando, where the purpose is to set a date for her preliminary hearing, per the same account.
Conflicting Accounts of How Rios Reached the Courthouse
Rios reportedly sustained several serious injuries in the crash, including fractures, cuts and bruised ribs. Accounts differ on when she was transported to court by ambulance: the Sun reported she arrived via ambulance on Sept. 24, while ABC7 reported she was brought to the San Fernando courthouse by ambulance on Sept. 18.
At the time of the crash, Rios was on active probation while driving a 2004 Ford Expedition, and illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia were recovered from the SUV, the article notes. A toxicology screen reportedly found narcotics in her system at the time of the collision, according to the outlet's reporting.
Prior Drug Case History Cited
The Los Angeles Times, examining Ventura County court records, reported that Rios had prior convictions for drug possession and driving with a suspended license. The paper's coverage, found at LA Times, detailed that she was charged with reckless driving, driving under the influence and two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Castillo and Weida.
If convicted on all charges, Rios could face a maximum of life in prison, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman has said. FOX 11 separately confirmed that Judge Hare's waiver permits Rios to skip routine court appearances moving forward.
Helicopter Crash Investigation Could Affect Prosecution
Hochman said officials are considering additional charges related to the fatal NBC4 helicopter crash, which occurred separately from the bus collision. Federal authorities are investigating that helicopter crash, and MyNewsLA reported Hochman's office will determine whether the federal findings could affect Rios's prosecution once that inquiry concludes.
MyNewsLA also confirmed that Rios remained jailed in lieu of $4.1 million bail and was due back in court Nov. 2. California Penal Code provisions addressing a defendant's physical or remote presence require that a defendant be advised of the right to be present at all stages of proceedings before signing any such waiver, according to California Legislative Information.
