Los Angeles County prosecutors charged a Simi Valley woman Thursday with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with a deadly crash involving her SUV and a Metro bus in Chatsworth.

Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, is also charged with driving under the influence of a drug causing injury and reckless driving, District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The crash occurred around 5 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue. Police said Rios drove her 2004 Ford Expedition southbound in the northbound lanes of De Soto Avenue, ran a red light at high speed, and struck the side of an eastbound Metro Line 166 bus. Two passengers on the bus were killed: 46-year-old Daniel Castillo and 31-year-old Gage Weida. Six others on the bus were injured.

Investigators determined Rios was impaired by drugs and speeding at the time. Narcotics and drug paraphernalia were found in her vehicle, according to authorities. Rios has a prior record that includes a 2015 misdemeanor conviction for possession of a controlled substance and a 2022 conviction for driving with a suspended license.

Rios was arrested Wednesday and is being held on $4.1 million bail. Her arraignment is scheduled for Friday in San Fernando Superior Court.

The bus crash drew news helicopters to the scene. Hours later, an NBC4 helicopter covering the incident crashed nearby, killing the pilot, a reporter, and a man on the ground. Prosecutors have not tied the helicopter crash to the charges against Rios but said additional charges could follow if evidence emerges.

Hochman emphasized the preventable nature of the tragedy during a Thursday news conference, noting that Rios allegedly chose to drive impaired on the wrong side of the road through a red light.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns over impaired driving in the Los Angeles area. Rios was rescued from her vehicle by firefighters and taken to a hospital for treatment of her injuries.