Sacramento, CA – On the evening of Monday, October 6, 2025, three people suffered critical injuries after a medevac helicopter crashed onto Highway 50, according to The Sacramento Bee.
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 moments earlier from the UC Davis Medical Center heliport. It was en route to Redding when it fell from the sky and struck the freeway. No patients were on board at the time of the crash.
Among those injured was Susan Smith, 67, a nurse from the Redding area. Her family confirmed she remains hospitalized in critical condition. The other two people injured included the pilot and a paramedic, both working aboard the REACH 5 flight. Emergency crews transported all three to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed that it is investigating the cause of the crash. The agency said the helicopter had taken off from UC Davis Medical Center shortly before the accident occurred.
Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter descend rapidly before impacting the roadway. Several motorists, including Chris and Isabella Lozano, helped the injured crew members escape from the wreckage before first responders arrived.
Traffic along Highway 50 stopped in both directions following the crash, creating an extended closure through the night. By early Tuesday morning, CHP reported that traffic had returned to normal flow, with only one eastbound lane remaining closed for cleanup and investigation.
Authorities continue to examine the wreckage and the surrounding area to determine what caused the helicopter to lose altitude. The NTSB and local agencies continue to investigate this accident.
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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.
