A high-speed collision between a Simi Valley SUV and a Metro bus claimed two lives in Chatsworth on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The crash, occurring at the intersection of Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue, left six others injured and prompted murder charges against the SUV driver.
The Fatal Intersection at Nordhoff and De Soto
The collision at the intersection of Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue in Chatsworth has left a community in shock after two men lost their lives. According to the report, Gage Weida, 31, and Daniel Castillo, 46, were pronounced dead at the scene following the impact between a Metro bus and a high-speed SUV. The violence of the crash was such that passengers were ejected from the bus, highlighting the extreme force involved in the Tuesday incident.
The crash occurred within a busy commercial area, causing significant damage to the surrounding environment. in addition to the primary collision, debris from the impact damaged a nearby Honda SUV parked or traveling in the vicinity. The intersection, which serves as a key junction for local transit and commercial traffic, became a scene of chaos as emergency responders arrived to manage the wreckage.
A $4 million bail for the Simi Valley driver
Authorities have arrested a 36-year-old woman from Simi Valley, charging her with murder in connection to the Chatsworth crash. As the source reported, the driver is accused of running a red light and nearly striking another vehicle before colliding with the Metro bus. The severity of the legal proceedings is underscored by a $4 million bail, a figure that reflects the gravity of the homicide charges being leveled against her.
Investigators allege that the driver was traveling at "freeway speed" when the collision occurred. This high velocity, combined with the failure to stop at a red light, transformed a commercial intersection into a site of extreme lethality. The Simi Valley resident is currently being held in jail as the legal process begins to unfold.
"Crushing" injuries and ejections in the Chatsworth wreckage
The physical toll of the accident extended far beyond the two fatalities, with six other individuals requiring hospital treatment. Emergency responders, including local firefighters, were forced to use specialized equipment to free victims who were trapped inside the mangled metal. One woman was specifically described as having "crushing" injuries after being trapped inside the Metro bus and subsequently loaded into an ambulance.
The force of the impact was so intense that it caused multiple ejections. Two passengers were thrown from the bus, and a third passenger was partially ejected during the collision . While six people were confirmed to be hospitalized,the specific breakdown of how many victims originated from the Metro bus versus the SUV has not yet been released to the public.
The unidentified vehicle nearly hit before the bus
While the primary collision involved the Metro bus, several critical details regarding the moments immediately preceding the crash remain unverified. The report indicates that the Simi Valley driver nearly hit another vehicle just before striking the bus, yet the identity and status of the occupants in that near-miss vehicle have not been clarified. it remains unknown if that vehicle or its driver sustained any injuries or damage.
Additionally, investigators have not yet provided a definitive count of the total injuries sustained by those in the SUV. While the source confirms six people were taken to hospitals, the exact distribution of these injuries across the two vehicles remains a key piece of information that authorities have yet to confirm.
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