We were 2o cars behind this accident. Left us stranded on highway 50 for two hours. We were spared by less than a minute. Praying for the families that lost their loved ones. Terrible tragedy!

This is one of the worst accidents I have ever seen. We were behind the collision by less than 1/4 mile. Waited while all the emergency vehicles passed by and, once the fire trucks and CHP copter arrived, we knew it had to be bad. So tragic. They called out the road cleaning vehicle before they started letting traffic through. Finally made it back to Placerville around 3:30 am. We are exhausted, mentally and physically. I can only imagine the pain that so many are going to have to endure all because one person decided to drive under the influence. Its a good reminder to all of us. Not only how dangerous drunk driving is. But just that we MUST pay attention when we’re behind the wheel. I myself was guilty of wanting to get up the mountain quickly, and probably sped faster than I should have, used the passing lane a little too late, looking down at the radio, etc… We are ALL guilty of not always devoting 100% of our attention when we’re driving. May we learn from this tragedy and not repeat it.

we must have been 20 cars behind the motorcycle as it was on fire and I called 911 to report what looked like a car fire but as we got to the scene the bodies were in the road and people running all around. I called 911 again to update them. my heart goes out to the families of the couple and the driver.

After passing by and seeing the bodies covered, that hurt me so bad. The reason being I had lost an uncle and a aunt to a drunk driver barely leaving a city fair. After a whole day of having fun, you dont expect something like this to happen. Always have somebody else drive for you after drinking, buzzed or drunk, its the same thing.
My prayers go out to the family.

My husband and I also were stopped in traffic on Highway 50, it was eerie and sobering to see so many cars with their lights off and engines off as we waited to start moving again. We knew it was bad when the Tow Trucks and Coroner’s Van passed us. I also counted 4 bodies that were covered, 3 adults and a small child as we drove by, there was a Van with minimal damage and another vehicle that was smashed pretty bad and the tow truck was putting the vehicle on his truck. Not sure why this article is leaving out that there was another vehicle and more people that were killed? There has been nothing on the news? Tragic accident and so senseless! We were not so worried about getting stuck in traffic or getting home late, 3 am,. After we saw what happened, just so sad that there were innocent lives taken. May the families of this tragedy be comforted. Slow down, stop drinking and driving and always tell your loved ones how much you love them.

We were about 10 cars back from the front of the line. Saw the Minivan, Motorcycle, fire & 2 Bodies. Did not see the second car. But did see THREE flatbed tow trucks – for a van and motorcycle? I think that we have not heard all the facts yet. Prayers to families, first responders and all the people who have been affected by this awful tragedy.

We were behind all the chaos and traffic as well maybe about 100 cars behind the accident, we were in traffic for around 3 hours, many cars turned around due to the heaviness of the traffic. People even turned off their cars from how long we were all not moving. Once we passed the scene it was just heartbreaking seeing the two bodies covered and the motorcycle on the tow truck that looked like the engine from a car at first because of how jammed and crushed it was, and the front end of the van being crushed too from a head on collision like that. A lovely vacay for a couple turned out to a death sentence because of an irresponsible driver. Very sad day. God bless there families and may they rest in peace…

We were among the cars stuck for over 2 hours on 50. According to my phone app, I knew there was a fatal accident, but no details until this article. Saw the van on the flatbed, front damage and extensive damage on the driver’s side. Saw one body bag, then the brain shut down. To Jane : it’s never worth it to drink and drive. According to booking records, the driver’s name is Megan Olivia Hickel.

We were behind the first 20 cars. We also saw 4 bodies on the ground. My 11 year old son also saw the bodies on the ground and it just shocked him. The news only says two fatalities. I think there was also another motorcycle involved accident earlier that night. In that same spot. After seen the ambulances coming back without the emergency light we knew something bad had happened. It was a very 4 hour long ride home after such a good day. My Prayer to the families. It only takes one bad decision to harm so many people.

To the family that is dealing with this horrific accident I am so sorry for your loss. This is an accident that could have been avoided 100%. She knew the rules and played by them. She is a wonderful person, full hearted and amazing. I know that I know this is devistating her to the core. She is one of my best friends. I will love u forever meggy!

We too were a ways up the hill from this scene. We were too far, thankfully, to see the carnage. But after I saw the coroner truck pass and two dark ambulances leave the scene I knew it wasn’t good. I keep hoping the two that lost their lives had just had the greatest day, saw an awesome show and were happy. It’s so tragic. I’m so heartbroken to know they left behind three children. I’m so infuriated that a woman who should be old enough to know better, made that decision. It’s something she will have to live with far beyond any sentence she receives. It’s not worth it. Buzzed. Drunk. Speeding. Texting. It all seems so innocuous until it’s tragic. One never thinks that the known consequences will happen to them. God be with the fallen and their families. As well as with the woman who made the worst decision she’s likely ever made. I will thank all the drivers after. All of you were pretty darned courteous and drove safely and extra sobered after that event.

We are friends of this family. Let me just tell you that we were camping with their son waiting for his parents to come up to meet us when he got the call. This is something no child ever wants to go thru. They were great people and a great family who definitely doesn’t deserve to go through this.
People we all make dumb decisions after we’ve been drinking. Please make this be a learning experience. This is horrific and tragic! My heart breaks for my friends and their family right now!

I was also a coworker of this wonderful woman. I hope this lady goes to jail forever and suffers knowing that she killed two innocent people who’s families now have to suffer from her evil, selffish, and stupid decision to drive drunk.

when I would take the BMX Team to Roseville, Stockton or Marysville

driving up the canyon I would always think about those folks coming at us late at night, Drunk leaving the Casino.

I feel bad for the folks who died and for all of you that had to see it.

in 1982 it was the car in my rear view mirror, that accident changed my life.

so if you get stuck behind my Truck and you think I’m driving to slow, that’s the reason

I am 21 and i come from a religion that does not allow me to drink. We were about 10 cars away from the accident. Its times like these that makes me realize why it is that we cant drink. I am still traumatized by what i saw. My heart goes out to the families. One mistake that she will never get back. If your going to drink people/teens should be more careful about these things. In these cases it is best to just not drink. I give my deepest condolences to everyone involved.

Rest in peace. It was a blessing to serve with you Kelly & Rick.Thank you for your service in the USAF. You will be missed. Praying for family and friends.

We were the 8th car from the sene I was riding with my family back to our camp ground riding back from Lake Tahoe after watching the fire works as we go around the curb every one starts to slam on their brakes as I look ahead I saw that something was on fire…5 min. later like 6 highway patrols respond to the sene and then the paramedics as soon as the paramedics parked and didn’t leave I knew someone had died…after sitting in traffic and talking to all the other people there stuck on traffic about what had happened the road was opened back up as we passed the sene we saw the van and then the two dead bodies that laid on the pavement covered in yellow tarps. Just to see the reality live and upfront really have me chills and an image that will always be fresh in my mind….May they rest in pease my prayers go out to them and their family and friends.

On the day of her judgement, when this selfish, irresponsible woman is told she will go straight to hell, I hope she remembers that it’s because she needlessly killed two innocent, amazing people and so negatively effected the lives of their children, one a young teen.

For all you other asinine drunk drivers, just go kill yourselves and leave the innocent public out of your irresponsible stupidity. You make me so angry that if I were God for a day I would vaporize you in order to save multitudes from death and mutilations at your hands. There’s absolutely no excuse for these tragedies your behavior causes.

Though we only rode motorcycles with them a few times, it didn’t take long to realize just how awesome Rick and Kelly were. My God keep them forever.

My gf is an LPN and tried as hard as she could to save the woman, who she thoight might have had a pulse.. The poor man was gone immediately. She performed cpr but it was no use. We went home very upset. Her mom is a nurse as well and aassiates. It was sad thing to see. we had a car full of kids, who unfortunately caught a glimpse as we drove by. They were very upset too. her and her mom hopped out and I drove about 100 feet away befofe I got out. There was definitely only 2 bodies.

As I am rereading all the comments, there was only the 2 people. There was not another family or kids. Just the 2 folks. My gf helped the officer cover them. My heart goes out to the family and the fact they left behind kids is killing me right now. So incredibly sad and senseless. Tragic ending to a beautiful night.

Thank you to those who tried to help our friends Rick & Kelly, who were tragically killed by this stupid selfish drunk driver! She robbed a 14 year old boy of his parents WAY too soon! She also robbed their other 2 children who have children of their parents and grandparents. Those babies are too young to even comprehend their grandparents are gone! I wish this stupid drunk could hear them when they ask for thier grandma and grandpa… I also wish she could see the pain on their childrens faces realizing they are now and forevermore will be without their parents! This did not have to happen! It’s always the good ones that get taken too soon!

Thank you to all for your comments, they have helped me understand and cope. My prayers are with their three children and two grandchildren. They are left with a tremendous change of life, esp. since their youngest is under-aged. My prayers are also with all of you that had to witness, and to the first responders that were touched by this tragic accident.
I am also taught to forgive … I haven’t had enough time to even accept what has happened, but I will in time forgive this person that will live with what happened at her own hands. I pray that this will be a difining moment in her life and that she will use this to glorify God – His will be done.
I am struck with the fact that they loved one another and were taken together – somehow that makes sense to me. I’m thankful that He put their path in mine.
Until we meet again, you’re dancing up there with front row seats.

http://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/rick-kelly-schwab-memorial-fund/199782

This was so upsetting to hear…A senseless act took away two beautiful people…The link above is to donate to help w funeral costs and help with the youngest son (14).

Again, I was standing directly next to them. Not sure what you saw covered, but I was there, and there were only 2 people. Th van and the bike. On he other side of the road was a car parked that looked like It might have had minor damage. But only the man and woman on the bike passed away. my gf helped lay the yellow tarps over them. Not sure what people saw, but it wasn’t more people. People seem to be sensationalizing or assuming. I saw with my own eyes, literally directly above the ones who did lose their lives. No one else dies.

After hours at a standstill, we drove by the scene very, very slowly. Emergency personnel and vehicles were still all over the roadway and there was an officer in the roadway. This gave my passenger, my boyfriend, plenty of time to see the horrific scene. There were definitely 4 tarps. Now I’m not saying this means there were 4 fatalities. But the people who saw 4 covered “bodies”, if you will, are not crazy. That’s what was there in plain sight. Perhaps they were also using them to cover pieces of debris. But there were 4. I’m so haunted by this. We felt such a part of it, and we weren’t even so unfortunate to be directly apart of it. We were just up the hill before the sharp 30mph turn down the grade. Absolutely horrible for EVERYONE involved. The driver of the van included. We’ve all made dumb mistakes and poor choices. This one ended tragically and, even though she’s alive, her life is over anyways, IMO. Who’d want to survive with that guilt? Horrible. So sad.

The comments by “S” the best friend of the drunk driver have me infuriated!!!!! You state she knew the rules & played by them? How could you be so callous? She obviously didn’t “play by the rules” this time! It wasn’t an accident…a vehicle is a deadly weapon that she chose to operate while impaired. A true friend who is as amazing as you say your friend is, would lovingly hold her accountable while supporting her through out her ordeal…not apologize on her behalf & then make excuses. Be a good friend and love her through this while helping her see what devastating consequences she caused for many who loved & knew Rick and Kelly & will be here for years helping pick up the pieces that were caused by breaking the rules.

I was behind the motorcycle, I got caught on a red light and therefor was quite a way behind him, but the first on the scene on the west bound side, my boyfriend ran up to help them in any way he could…..my deepest and most heartfelt condolences to their children. 2 years ago I lost 3 members of my family on highway 50 and sunrise from a drunk driver going the wrong way on the freeway, while it is not the loss of a parent, it was still a loss and I can most definitely sympathize….again my most heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this tragic incident…..

About MT’s comments about “S”, the friend of the suspect: she was not excusing her conduct, she was just expressing that the suspect here is her best friend and is suffering over what she caused. There are many victims here, even the suspect.

As a retired police officer, I have seen many such situations. Those who cause such tragedies are not evil people – they are people like any of us who drove after having too much to drink. How many times have many of us driven after having a little too much to drink? I can say that I have never done so, for I learned early what alcohol can do to us. Do not drink and drive, so you will not be the person castigated in tomorrow’s newspaper article. Do not be afraid to tell your friend they have had too much to drink.

This is a sad and senseless tragedy. A tragedy that repeats itself time and again simply because it is not precipitated by any malice or intent but by stupidity alone.
I hold personal doubts about the above comment by a person alleging to be law enforcement. I have known, closely and at a distance, a number of convicted drunk drivers. The guilt associated has seriously affected all of them. I have seen the guilty conscious of one person destroy his sanity over a couple of years after causing death in a drunk driving accident.
Please understand that I do not condone the young lady’s action nor excuse her legal and ethical liability in any way. I understand there is anger and frustration. I also understand that humans are essentially fallible and that, perhaps not with the same variables involved, there but for the grace of God go I.
My condolences to the family and my sympathy to all involved.
Although

The first comment that I wrote was full of emotion. I am sorry for the way that I expressed myself. There is no other tragedy like losing a family member. Rick and Kelly sound like amazing people that should have not lost there lives that day and I am so happy that they have such an amazing support group around them and there family. I am sorry if anyone felt that I was sweeping this situation under the rug or making an excuse for Megan’s actions. This is a tragic situation for everyone involved.

Meg is a very caring and sweet young woman who would have taken the shirt off her back for you. I have kids and this is a truly bad situation for everyone involved. I am saddened for the children and grandchildren of the victims and for Meg I can guarantee you all she is feeling absolutely awful for her actions and is full of remorse. Meg has so many people who love her like the victims and we do not make excuses for her actions but we do support her still in the fact that she would have done the same for us. “S” I am with you and my condolences go out to Rick and Kelly ‘ s family. My prayers go out for everyone touched my this unfortunate ACCIDENT.

My sympathies go to the families and friends of all of those harmed by this collision – including the suspect (using the term “accident” is a way to avoid responsibility for causing the collision). DUI is caused not by an inherently evil act, but doing a legal act to excess, then driving. This is why I urge all of us to police our friends at such times.

How many of you or know someone who has have drank and drove after a couple of drinks or more when close to home and lucked out? There is no excuse for drinking and driving no matter how far but let’s be realistic here and reflect on everyone actions. No one is perfect.

Rick and Kelly were part of our family and will be missed everyday for the rest of our lives. It was shocking to hear of their death this past Friday. This has devastated the family and their friends. I am thankful for the kinds words from folks posting here and for those that stopped and tried to save our loved ones.

Thank you RH

@ RH
Thank you so much for all you and your mother tried to so. What you wrote was absolutely beautiful and a reminder of Kelly and Rick’s love for each other. I know that the family is extremely appreciative of complete strangers trying to save their parents. I hope that Rick and Kelly both went peacefully and with no pain. That is the hardest thing for this family now, wanting to assure they never suffered.
To the friends and family of Megan we all make mistakes however this was no “accident” she knowingly got behind the wheel of a car. Has anyone mentioned the fact that 5 min prior to this accident her van was called into dispatch for excess speed? And the police were dispatched to find her. Because that is a fact. I’m sure she feels awful, who wouldn’t? Two precious lives were taken. 3 children lost their parents, one which is 14! He is ripped of his parents, he enters highschool in about a month they won’t be there for him on his first day, when he drives, when he graduates, when he marrys. All because of a selfish act. I pray for the schwabs for healing through all of this. I’ve been by their sides since they found out the news and can’t begin to describe the pain and anger.
I pray Megan learned her lesson and that she realizes her admit gets to hug and support her thru this while these 3 kids don’t have the parents to do this with any longer. Nothing will bring rick and Kelly back, nothing will heal the pain. My heart breaks for the Schwab family! I love you guys

Thank you @RH. So comforting to know that her eyes fell on a kind soul. May you be rewarded tenfold for the love and care you provide to many.

http://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/rick-kelly-schwab-memorial-fund/199782

Here is the Fund for the Two Killed in this Horrific and Very Tragic Homicide. The woman who killed them was driving Under the Influence. When will it end!!!!

To “A close family friend”: While you may admonish Meghan in your comment, there was no need to include her family and friends. They were not responsible for this and are suffering also.

Thank you to all who offered assistance at the scene. Those left behind can have the assurance that all that could be done was.