Helicopter crashes on Sacramento freeway; 3 critically injured, officials say

By Richard Ramos

Officials are investigating after a medical helicopter crashed on a Sacramento freeway Monday evening, critically injuring the three people on board, authorities said.

The Sacramento Fire Department said a REACH helicopter went down shortly after 7 p.m. on eastbound Highway 50 near 59th Street. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the helicopter had just taken off from the UC Davis Medical Center and was destined for Redding. 

Three crew members — a pilot, a nurse and a paramedic — were in the helicopter and suffered critical injuries, Captain Justin Sylvia of Sacramento Fire said. All three were taken to the UC Davis Medical Center for treatment, UC Davis officials stated. 

The family of the nurse identified her in a statement as Suzie Smith.

“Suzie is currently receiving amazing care at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. She is in critical condition with multiple serious injuries.  Those who know Susie know that she is a tough and strong woman,” the statement said.

REACH officials identified on Wednesday the other two crew members injured in the crash as Chad Millward, the pilot, and Margaret “DeDe” Davis, a paramedic. 

The helicopter had taken a patient to a hospital and was returning to its dispatch point when it had an “in-air emergency,” The Associated Press quotes Sylvia as saying.

No vehicles on the freeway were involved, which Sylvia told the AP was “mind blowing” since the aircraft crashed in the center of the freeway.

Video obtained by CBS Sacramento from a person inside a vehicle in the westbound lanes of the highway captured the moment the helicopter went down.  

Two crew members were located in the roadway while one of the crew members was trapped under the helicopter when the first unit from the fire department arrived, Sylvia said. A fire captain and bystanders who offered help were able to lift the aircraft off the trapped crew member.

“We are in the process of determining the details of this situation, as well as the condition of the REACH crew involved, who were all taken to area hospitals,” REACH said in a statement, adding that it is “keeping all those impacted in our thoughts and prayers.”

The helicopter involved was an Airbus EC-130 T2, according to the NTSB. 

One lane of Eastbound Highway 50 had been reopened at 59th Street to allow for traffic to pass through, the California Highway Patrol said. All Highway 50 lanes were reopened by early Tuesday morning.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said it is assisting the CHP, which said it will help the NTSB in the probe. The Federal Aviation Administration says it will be investigating.