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Got it Edition CA NY Open Metro navigation US News US News Metro Long Island Politics World News US News Metro Long Island Politics World News Search Search Metro exclusive LA Metro crash suspect’s haunting text hours before fatal wreck — as friend reveals troubled background By Jeremy Louwerse Published Sep. 16, 2026, 7:58 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google The woman who was accused of killing two people when she slammed her SUV into a Los Angeles Metro bus — indirectly triggering a chain of events that ended in a fiery NBC news chopper crash — sent a disturbing text to a close friend just hours earlier. Bailee Lynn Rios, the driver of the SUV, had “big concerns lately,” her close friend, Brad Aragon, told the California Post. “Brad, it’s not a joking matter on this bf thing its serious and im honestly scared but yes of course imma come see you,” read a text from Rios to Aragon at 1:24 p.m. Tuesday — only hours before her SUV slammed into the side of the Metro bus. 10 Bailee Rios, who is accused of driving an SUV into a Los Angeles Metro bus and killing two people, was booked in connection with the deadly Tuesday collision and is being held on $4 million bail. Obtained by the CA Post 10 Bailee Lynn Rios “had big concerns lately.” Explore More Sick Florida mom busted after husband finds video of her performing sex acts with family dog: cops Disturbing video captures bloody Westchester college campus stabbing that left three students injured Duct-tape plane passenger breaks silence — and gives unbelievable excuse for midflight meltdown 10 Aragon received a concerning text from his friend Rios on the day of the crash. Facebook/Brad Arago 10 Rios is currently in the hospital after reportedly crashing her SUV into a Metro bus and killing two. Fcebook/@bailee.rios.9 Aragon, who lives in Houston, and Rios were planning for Aragon to come visit LA in October, and she was going to pick him up from LAX when he landed, Aragon told The Post. “She was saying lately that she was associating with certain people that she shouldn’t be associating with. I was going to help her with that,” he said. 10 Rios’ SUV smashed into a Metro Bus after she allegedly ran a red light. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock 10 Eliana Moreno died after a news chopper she was reporting from crashed. Eliana Moreno / Facebook 10 George Marciniw and Moreno. The helicopter also killed Edy Gutierrez Mejia, a bystander on the ground. George Marciniw / Facebook Rios allegedly smashed into the bus about five hours after the text exchange, killing Gage Weida, 31, and Daniel Castillo, 46. The crash indirectly resulted in a horrific chain of events, leading to NBC’s chopper plummeting to the ground and killing the pilot, George Marciniw, and reporter Eliana Moreno. The helicopter also killed Edy Gutierrez Mejia, a bystander on the ground. Follow The Post’s latest coverage of the heartbreaking NBC news fatal helicopter crash Terrifying new dashcam footage shows moment doomed NBC helicopter falls out of the sky Witness reveals NBC helicopter’s bizarre movements moments before it fell out of the sky Third victim of fiery NBC helicopter crash in LA is identified Heartbreaking moment seasoned NBC star bursts into tears on scene of fatal LA helicopter crash 10 One of the victims of the deadly bus crash, Gage Weida, 31. Facebook/@gage.weida “I thought she was on the straight-and-narrow path. I was surprised that she’d be so careless. She must be held accountable,” he added. Authorities said Rios was suspected of reckless driving, running a red light and a possible DUI. Aragon says he met Rios 11 years ago in LA when he was dealing drugs. Aragon, son of the boxing great “Golden Boy” Art Aragon, said he became a drug dealer after his dad died and when he subsequently drove his father’s company, Aragon Bail Bonds, into the ground. 10 Aragon, son of the boxing great “Golden Boy” Art Aragon, said he became a drug dealer after his dad died. Facebook/Brad Arago 10 “She went to rehab after I went to prison; she saw what it did,” Aragon told The Post. Facebook/@bailee.rios.9 The dealer was ultimately busted and faced five years behind bars. “Everyone turned their back on me but Bailee,” he said. “She went to rehab after I went to prison; she saw what it did.” Rios encouraged Aragon to start his YouTube channel, “The Federal Tool Box,” once he got out of prison. The channel helps convicts adjust to life after serving their sentences. “When I got out she was clean. She is the one person that didn’t try to get me back into the old ways,” he said. The day of the crash, Aragon says Rios was proud that she had gotten her credit score up to 700, something she had been working on with his help. She had sent Aragon a screenshot of the score. Rios’ cousin, Katelyn Trinity, posted on her Facebook Page: “I’ve never stopped loving you and praying for you and I promise I never will. No matter what. Right or wrong. Forever.” “To hear that she’s done something like this, it’s terrible. She could do 45 to life,” Aragon said. Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News : Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , X , YouTube , WhatsApp , LinkedIn California Post Sports Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , YouTube , X California Post Opinion California Post Newsletters : Sign up here! California Post App : Download here! Home delivery : Sign up here! Page Six Hollywood : Sign up here! Filed under bus accidents buses california car crashes drugs helicopter crashes 9/16/26 Read Next Couple and 11-year-old daughter found dead in $1M Californ... 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Obtained by the CA Post Bailee Lynn Rios “had big concerns lately.” Aragon received a concerning text from his friend Rios on the day of the crash. Facebook/Brad Arago Rios is currently in the hospital after reportedly crashing her SUV into a Metro bus and killing two. Fcebook/@bailee.rios.9 Rios' SUV smashed into a Metro Bus after she allegedly ran a red light. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock Eliana Moreno died after a news chopper she was reporting from crashed. Eliana Moreno / Facebook George Marciniw and Moreno. The helicopter also killed Edy Gutierrez Mejia, a bystander on the ground. George Marciniw / Facebook One of the victims of the deadly bus crash, Gage Weida, 31. Facebook/@gage.weida Aragon, son of the boxing great “Golden Boy” Art Aragon, said he became a drug dealer after his dad died. Facebook/Brad Arago "She went to rehab after I went to prison; she saw what it did," Aragon told The Post. 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