Helicopter Crashes Onto the Eastbound 50

One person is dead after a medevac helicopter fell out of the sky and onto the freeway shortly after takeoff.

The crash happened in October 2025. Captain Justin Sylva of the Sacramento Fire Department said a REACH medevac 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.

The helicopter had taken a patient to a hospital and was returning to its dispatch point when it had an “in-air emergency,” he stated. 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.

One of those individuals died several days later at a local hospital. “We will remember Suzie as a pillar of the EMS and healthcare community who saved countless lives by delivering compassionate care in their darkest hours,” REACH said in a statement. “Suzie’s 50-year career as a nurse included nearly 21 years with REACH, and we are proud to call her our colleague and friend.”

“I watched her as the children would come up to her and she’d get down on one knee, down to their level and she would just identify with them and she would make them feel comfortable,” one of her colleagues added.

Delayed Accidental Death

Some airplane crash and other personal injury victims die at the scene of the accident or a few hours later at a hospital. Others live for weeks, months, or even years before they succumb to their injuries. Delayed accidental deaths create additional legal issues for a personal injury lawyer in California.

An accident-related injury could be a substantial cause or a contributing cause of a subsequent wrongful death. Either way, compensation is usually available.

The body can only fight trauma injuries for so long. In 1995, Christopher Reeve fell off a horse and seriously injured his spine. That injury finally killed him some ten years later. Usually, these victims are in and out of hospitals while they linger. California has one of the highest average daily hospitalization costs in the country. So, these expenses add up quickly.

The possibility, or rather the probability, of future medical expenses is one of the main reasons a Los Angeles personal injury attorney mustn’t settle cases too quickly. Early settlements may seem beneficial. But these settlements usually don’t fully account for future medical expenses. As a result, the victim is financially responsible for these costs.

If an old injury is a contributing cause to a future death, the eggshell skull rule usually applies. If an old injury contributed to the risk and/or severity of a subsequent injury, full compensation is usually available. Defendants shouldn’t reap financial windfalls and reduce damage payments because the victim was vulnerable. If anything, these victims deserve more protection and compensation, not less.

Aircraft Accidents

Airplane accidents, while rare, are serious events that often result in significant loss of life and property. Despite air travel being one of the safest modes of transportation, mechanical failure, human error, severe weather, or other unforeseen circumstances cause many crashes, especially among small aircraft. More on that below.

The good news is that the aviation industry has strict safety regulations and protocols in place to minimize risks, and modern aircraft are equipped with advanced technology designed to prevent accidents.

Pilot training, air traffic control systems, and aircraft maintenance are all critical factors in ensuring flight safety. When a crash does occur, investigations are conducted by aviation authorities such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) or similar organizations worldwide. These investigations aim to determine the cause of the accident and to make recommendations to prevent future incidents. The results of these investigations often determine the responsible party, in terms of civil liability.

High-profile accidents, such as the crashes of Air France Flight 447 or Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, have prompted global efforts to improve flight tracking and communication. Lessons learned from past incidents have led to improvements in aircraft design, emergency procedures, and safety standards.

Unfortunately, these improvements haven’t trickled down to small aircraft and helicopters. These aircraft are still very hazardous, especially in the critical moments while taking off or landing.

Contact a personal injury attorney today

Aircraft crash victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced California personal injury attorney, contact the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim. We routinely handle matters throughout the Golden State.