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(photo courtesy of Caltrans District 8)<\/p>\nSACRAMENTO, Calif. (VVNG.com) \u2014 A veteran REACH flight nurse has died, and two other crew members remain hospitalized following a medical helicopter crash on U.S. Highway 50 that occurred on October 6, 2025.<\/p>\n
Susan \u201cSuzie\u201d Smith, a longtime nurse with REACH Air Medical Services, passed away from injuries sustained in the crash of helicopter N414RX near 59th Street in Sacramento.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur REACH family is devastated to share that Susan \u2018Suzie\u2019 Smith has passed away from injuries sustained during the accident involving helicopter N414RX on Highway 50 on Monday night,\u201d REACH stated in a written update on Saturday, October 11.<\/p>\n
REACH identified the other two crew members on board as pilot Chad Millward, 60, and paramedic Margaret \u201cDeDe\u201d Davis, 66. Both remain hospitalized in critical but stable condition, according to a statement from the medevac company.<\/p>\n
(photo courtesy of Caltrans District 8)<\/p>\n
Smith, who was a 50-year nursing veteran, had worked nearly 21 years with REACH and was considered a cornerstone of the EMS and healthcare community in Northern California. Raised on a multi-generational cattle ranch in the region, Smith originally aspired to be a veterinarian, but an early experience observing surgery led her to pursue a lifelong career in nursing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got recruited into flight nursing. I love it, and I\u2019d be bored if I did anything else,\u201d Smith said in a REACH profile. \u201cWith this work, I get so much more than I give.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s compassion extended globally. She volunteered in Sri Lanka following a tsunami and worked in communities across Nicaragua and Haiti to provide medical assistance to those living in extreme poverty.<\/p>\n
The helicopter had no patients on board at the time of the crash, and no vehicles were involved. The crash prompted the closure of eastbound U.S. 50 from the State Route 99 connector to 59th Street for several hours. All lanes reopened by 1:22 a.m.<\/p>\n
The cause of the crash is currently unknown and remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration. The California Highway Patrol is assisting with the investigation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe grieve Suzie\u2019s loss with her family, friends, colleagues and the entire community that she faithfully served,\u201d REACH stated. \u201cHer impact will be felt for years to come through the lives she touched, the teams she strengthened, and the compassion she embodied.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone with information or dash camera footage of the crash is asked to contact CHP Sergeant Brodie Mitchell at (916) 731-6400 or email\u00a020-MAIT@chp.ca.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n