Where in Sacramento did the freeway helicopter crash happen?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Medevac helicopter crashed onto eastbound Highway 50 near 59th Street at 7:10 p.m.
- Three people suffered critical injuries; aircraft was an Airbus H‑130.
- Eastbound Highway 50 closed overnight; traffic diverted to Highway 99 and Capital City.
A medevac helicopter on Monday night crashed onto the freeway lanes of Highway 50 in East Sacramento, leaving three people with critical injuries while blocking eastbound traffic through the night.
Just before 7:10 p.m., the helicopter, seconds after departing UC Davis Medical Center, fell from the sky east of the hospital campus, onto the eastbound lanes just west of 59th Street.
The location of the crash lies about a mile west of the Sacramento State campus, not far from Hornet Stadium. The American River lies about a mile east of that stretch of highway, just beyond the college campus.
The three helicopter passengers are listed in critical condition, said Sacramento Fire Department Capt. Justin Sylvia.
The helicopter, an Airbus H130 operated as Reach 5, was found on its side among scattered debris. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, despite the busy traffic hour, including some commuters heading east toward Rancho Cordova.
Representatives for Reach, which is based at McClellan Airport, confirmed the crash involving its helicopter.
The westbound lanes of traffic reopened shortly after the crash. As of Monday night, the eastbound lanes were expected to remain closed into the morning.
Eastbound Highway 50 on the W-X Freeway was being diverted at the Highway 99 interchange to the Capital City Freeway and Highway 99. Traffic appeared backed up to the Interstate 5 interchange and the Pioneer Bridge over the Sacramento River.
- Westbound Highway 50 traffic is slow-going but lanes appear open.
- Traffic on Stockton Boulevard on-ramp to westbound 50 was being turned around.
- Northbound Highway 99 to eastbound Highway 50 transition ramp was shut down. Southbound Capital City Freeway on-ramp to Highway 50 east is shut down.
This story was originally published October 6, 2025 at 10:12 PM.
