Pilot in helicopter that crashed in Sacramento identified as retired CHP officer, pilot

The crew members on board the medical helicopter that came crashing onto Highway 50 in Sacramento were identified on Wednesday

The REACH 5 medical team said the pilot, Chad Millward, and paramedic, Margaret "DeDe" Smith, are in critical but stable condition and the nurse, Susan "Suzie" Smith , is in critical, unstable condition.

The California Highway Patrol confirmed that Chad Millward is a respected, retired CHP officer and pilot. His 28 years of service in life-or-death situations prepared him to manage to miss every single driver on Highway 50 when the medical helicopter he was flying Monday night came crashing down. No one on the ground was hurt.

"It sounds like he did an excellent job," said Mary Beaver, who has been friends with the nurse who was on board for over 30 year