Sacramento, CA – Authorities have released the names of the three crew members who suffered critical injuries in a medical helicopter crash on the evening of Monday, October 6, 2025, according to KCRA.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the crash took place just before 7:10 PM on the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 near 59th Street in East Sacramento.
The helicopter, identified as an Airbus EC-130 T2 operated by REACH Air Medical Services, had departed minutes earlier from the UC Davis Medical Center heliport. It was en route to Redding when it descended and struck the freeway. No patients were on board at the time of the incident.
Officials identified the injured crew members as:
- Chad Millward (pilot)
- Margaret “DeDe” Davis (paramedic)
- Susan “Suzie” Smith (nurse)
All three were transported to UC Davis Medical Center for emergency treatment.
The Sacramento Fire Department reported that about 15 people helped lift the helicopter so firefighters could rescue one of the trapped crew members.
Witnesses said the helicopter appeared to lose altitude before crashing onto the eastbound lanes. Authorities noted that the helicopter’s fuel-resistant system likely prevented a fire from starting.
Traffic in both directions of Highway 50 came to a stop as emergency crews worked through the night. By early Tuesday morning, all lanes reopened except for one eastbound lane, which remained closed for cleanup and investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed it is leading the investigation to determine what caused the aircraft to lose altitude. Local agencies are assisting with the ongoing inquiry.
Personal Injury Claims
After an accident, victims and their families often deal with unexpected financial burdens, such as medical bills, lost income, and, in the worst cases, burial costs. A Personal Injury Claim allows accident victims to hold the at-fault party financially responsible for their costs of care.
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If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California Personal Injury Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
