The woman suspected of driving an SUV into a Los Angeles Metro bus on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, killing two people, sent a frightened text to a close friend about five hours before the wreck, the friend told reporters on Wednesday.
Story Snapshot
- Friend Brad Aragon says suspect Bailee Lynn Rios texted him at 1:24 p.m. Tuesday that she was “genuinely scared” over a boyfriend situation.
- The crash in Chatsworth that killed two and injured six followed about five hours later.
- Authorities say they plan to arrest Rios on suspicion of murder, and suspect reckless driving, a red-light violation and possible DUI.
- A news helicopter covering the crash went down nearby later that day, a separate tragedy that deepened the shock across the region.
What Authorities And Reports Say Happened
News reports identify Rios as the driver of the SUV that struck the side of a Metro bus near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue in Chatsworth on Tuesday. The SUV became lodged partway inside the bus. Two people died and six others were hurt. Authorities told reporters they plan to arrest the driver on suspicion of murder once the investigation allows.
Coverage says officials also suspect the driver ran a red light and could face charges for reckless driving and possible driving under the influence. Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath issued a public statement on the bus crash and the news helicopter crash that followed. Police have not released a final crash report, and formal charges will follow the standard review.
LOS ANGELES – The suspect accused of causing a fatal crash involving an LA Metro bus in Chatsworth that left two people dead and six others injured was arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday, officials said. https://t.co/KjnyhGT3aQ
— wake1up (@n2oneness) September 17, 2026
The Text Message And Why It Matters
Aragon told the New York Post that Rios had “significant worries lately.” At 1:24 p.m. on Tuesday, he says, she texted him: “Brad, this bf situation is not a joke; it’s serious, and I’m genuinely scared, but of course, I’ll come see you.” The wreck happened roughly five hours later. A time-stamped text like that can feel like a window into a driver’s state of mind, which is why the message has drawn so much attention. Still, a text sent that early in the afternoon does not by itself prove what happened at the wheel hours later.
Courts and investigators weigh digital messages with care. Any text must be authenticated and tied to the crash timeline to carry real weight. Technical reviews of phone records and vehicle data can show what a driver was doing close to the moment of impact. Without that tight timeline, a message like this one is emotional background, not proof of distraction or impairment during the crash itself.
How Investigators Build The Timeline
Crash teams pull several threads at once: traffic camera video, vehicle data, scene measurements, and cell records that show when a screen was unlocked and which app was open. Combined with signal timing and skid marks, that evidence can confirm or rule out claims of distraction, speeding, or red-light running. Officials have already pointed to reckless driving and a possible red-light violation, and say more findings will come after review.
What Comes Next
Next steps likely include a full reconstruction, toxicology testing, and a review of traffic signals and camera footage. If the evidence supports it, prosecutors can file the murder count authorities have described. Families of the two people killed want answers that are clear and quick, and riders want to know the streets around their bus stops are safe. The core test is simple: match the claims to the evidence, then match the charges to the facts.
Sources:
nypost.com, nypost.com, nypost.com, lindseyhorvath.lacounty.gov