Driver Pleads Not Guilty to Charges in Chatsworth Metro Bus Crash Case
A criminal case stemming from the September 15 Metro bus crash in Chatsworth moved forward Thursday when the driver of the SUV involved in the collision pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree murder.
The crash has drawn significant attention as authorities have released additional information in the days since the collision. Two people were killed and several others were injured when an SUV collided with a Metro bus near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue. The criminal allegations against the driver remain allegations and have not been proven in court.
What Happened in the Chatsworth Metro Bus Crash?
According to ABC7 Los Angeles, the collision occurred on September 15 in Chatsworth when an SUV struck the side of a Metro bus near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue. Emergency crews responded to a scene involving extensive damage to both vehicles and multiple injured people.
Initial reporting described the bus as crossing the intersection when the SUV struck its side. Investigators subsequently arrested the SUV driver, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced criminal charges two days later.
The District Attorney’s Office says two people were killed and five others were injured in the crash. Earlier emergency reporting described a different injury count, which can occur as authorities update information following a major incident.
Prosecutors Filed Murder and DUI Charges
On September 17, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that the 36-year-old SUV driver had been charged with two counts of second-degree murder, one felony count of driving under the influence causing injury, and a misdemeanor reckless-driving charge.
Prosecutors allege that the driver was impaired, traveled on the wrong side of the roadway, went through a red light, and was traveling well above the speed limit before the collision. ABC7 also reported that the District Attorney’s Office said drugs were detected in the driver’s system and narcotics were found inside the vehicle. These assertions are allegations by prosecutors and have not been established through a trial or guilty plea.
The Driver Has Pleaded Not Guilty
On September 24, the driver pleaded not guilty to the charges. ABC7 reports that she remains in custody in lieu of $4.1 million bail and is scheduled to return to court on November 2, when a date for a preliminary hearing is expected to be set.
A not-guilty plea means the prosecution must establish the criminal charges through the court process. The filing of a charge is not a finding of guilt, and the allegations should continue to be described as allegations while the case remains pending.
How the Story Has Developed Since the Crash
The case has unfolded quickly since the collision. Initial reports on September 15 focused on the severity of the crash, emergency response, and the number of people injured. By September 17, authorities had announced an arrest and prosecutors had filed murder, DUI, and reckless-driving charges.
Court proceedings were then delayed before Thursday’s arraignment and not-guilty plea. With the next court date scheduled for November, the case is now moving into the stages in which prosecutors will be required to present evidence supporting the charges.
That distinction is important in a developing case. Information released during the initial investigation can change, additional evidence may emerge, and claims made by law enforcement or prosecutors can later be challenged by the defense.
A Criminal Case and an Injury Claim Address Different Questions
The criminal prosecution focuses on whether the state can prove the charges against the accused driver beyond a reasonable doubt. That process is separate from any potential civil claims arising from injuries or losses connected to the collision.
A civil investigation may examine negligence, insurance coverage, medical injuries, economic losses, vehicle evidence, surveillance, witness accounts, and whether more than one person or entity bears legal responsibility. The standards and objectives of a civil case are different from those involved in a criminal prosecution.
The existence of criminal charges does not automatically establish civil liability. Likewise, the eventual outcome of the criminal case does not necessarily answer every question that could arise in a separate personal injury matter.
Bus Accidents Can Involve Several Sources of Evidence
A collision involving a Metro bus can generate significantly more evidence than an ordinary two-vehicle accident. Investigators may have access to interior or exterior bus cameras, traffic surveillance, vehicle damage, police reports, passenger accounts, nearby business cameras, electronic information, and other records.
Video can be especially important when the parties dispute vehicle speed, traffic signals, roadway position, or the sequence immediately before impact. Witness statements and physical evidence can also help reconstruct events independently from statements made by the people directly involved.
For passengers, medical documentation becomes a separate part of the record. Emergency treatment, imaging, hospitalization, rehabilitation, work restrictions, and follow-up care can help establish the nature and extent of injuries caused by a crash.
Serious Bus Collisions Can Raise Complex Liability Questions
Although this crash has resulted in criminal charges against the SUV driver, bus accidents more broadly can involve several possible responsible parties. Depending on the circumstances, an investigation may involve another motorist, a transit operator, a private transportation contractor, a vehicle owner, or another entity.
Public transit cases can also involve procedural rules that differ from ordinary private automobile claims. California claims involving a government entity can require action considerably earlier than the general filing period applicable to many private personal injury cases.
DAG Law Firm provides additional general information in our resources on what to do after a bus accident in California and who may be liable in a California bus accident.
What Happens Next?
The next reported court date is November 2. ABC7 says a preliminary hearing date is expected to be scheduled at that appearance.
As the case continues, additional evidence and court filings may provide more information about the prosecution’s allegations and the defense’s response. Until those issues are litigated, it is important to distinguish between facts that have been publicly confirmed and allegations that remain disputed.
Following the Chatsworth Metro Bus Case
The September 15 crash has developed from a major traffic collision into a criminal prosecution involving some of the most serious charges that can arise after an alleged impaired-driving accident. At the same time, the legal process is still at an early stage.
DAG Law Firm will continue to follow significant transportation-safety developments affecting Los Angeles and California. Readers looking for general information about injury claims involving public transportation can visit our California Bus Accident Lawyer resource.
This article is based on publicly available news reports and information released by authorities as of September 24, 2026. Criminal charges and statements made by prosecutors are allegations and do not establish guilt or civil liability. The accused driver has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. DAG Law Firm, APC does not represent any person identified in the reporting discussed above. This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not a statement about the merits of any criminal or civil claim.
