[REVISION HISTORY]

Los Angeles news helicopter crash and fatal SUV collision

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-18 03:35 UTC → 2026-09-18 05:36 UTC · added ~~removed~~

On September 15, 2026, a NewsChopper 4 helicopter, operated by Angel City Air for NBC4 and Telemundo 52, crashed in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles. The Airbus AS 350 B2 was providing aerial coverage of a traffic accident involving a Metro bus and an SUV at the time of the incident. The crash resulted in at least three fatalities. Victims identified include 38-year-old veteran aerial journalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, while a third individual, identified as 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, was killed on the ground. The impact occurred between two commercial buildings, triggering a fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers near the intersection of Lurline Avenue and Nordhoff Street. The Los Angeles Fire Department deployed over 56 firefighters to the scene. Two other individuals were transported to local hospitals for medical attention. Investigations into the cause of the crash are being led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ~~Preliminary analysis of onboard~~ Lead investigator Fabian Salazar noted that cockpit video ~~has revealed~~ is a critical piece of evidence, as it reportedly captures sounds “consistent with engine speed changes and potential pilot warning ~~alarms.”~~ alarms,” which may indicate engine failure. In a related development, authorities ~~have~~ arrested Bailee Lynn Rios, the driver of the SUV involved in the initial traffic ~~collision that the helicopter was filming.~~ collision. Rios faces charges of second-degree murder, driving under the influence, and reckless driving. ~~Investigators reported recovering methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia from Rios’s vehicle.~~ The initial collision involving Rios’s 2004 Ford Expedition resulted in the deaths of two Metro bus passengers, ~~identified as 31-year-old~~ Gage Weida and ~~46-year-old~~ Daniel Castillo, bringing the total death toll from the series of incidents to five. Following the tragedy, a community vigil was held at St. John Eudes Church to honor all victims.

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