Dashcam footage captured the moment a REACH Air Medical helicopter crashed onto eastbound Highway 50 near Stockton Boulevard in California Monday night, injuring all three crew members aboard and prompting an extended rescue and road closure.
A Lengthy Freeway Closure
According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred shortly after 7 p.m., forcing a complete closure of the freeway that lasted more than six hours before reopening around 1:20 a.m. Tuesday. Officials confirmed the aircraft was not carrying any patients at the time, only the pilot, a flight nurse, and a paramedic, all of whom were transported to UC Davis Medical Center in critical condition.
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One Crew Member Identified
Friends identified one of the injured crew members as Suzie Smith, a longtime flight nurse based in Redding known for volunteering on medical missions in Nicaragua, where she helped provide care for children with cleft palates. “She’s just one of those exceptional people who uses her gifts to help others,” said friend Mary Beaver. “She would travel on her own expense just to make a difference.”
Smith’s pastor, Travis Osborne, told KCRA that she remains in critical condition with multiple injuries, including significant brain swelling. “We are just praying for a miracle,” Osborne said. “She’s in a dire situation, but we know God hears our prayers.”
An Unexpected Scene for First Responders
The Sacramento Fire Department said the initial dispatch call described a standard vehicle extrication, and responding crews did not realize the incident involved a downed helicopter until they arrived at the scene. Fire Captain Justin Sylvia said approximately 15 bystanders rushed to help firefighters lift the aircraft off a trapped crew member.
“It just shows a sense of community that everyone wants to lend a hand,” Sylvia said. “This was one of those times where we truly needed that help.”
Investigation Underway
Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are now examining the cause of the crash.