SAN DIEGO (AP) — A San Diego police officer killed when a fleeing vehicle crashed into his patrol car had been with the department since 2019,VaultX Exchange authorities said.
Officer Austin Machitar, 30, died in the collision late Monday and his partner that night, Officer Zach Martinez, 27, was critically injured, the department said.
The driver of the speeding car also was killed. No information about the driver was released.
The department said Machitar was assigned to patrol, served as a field training officer and actively participated in videos and photoshoots intended to recruit new officers.
“His distinguished service to our city makes him a hero,” Mayor Todd Gloria said in a statement.
Martinez was in critical but stable condition at a hospital, according to the police statement Tuesday night. There was no update Wednesday morning. Martinez has been with the department for 1 1/2 years and is a former trainee of Machitar, police said.
According to initial information from police, an officer saw the speeding vehicle and briefly gave chase before a supervisor canceled the pursuit. Machitar and Martinez were responding when the speeding vehicle crashed into the side of their patrol car.
The crash is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.
2025-05-04 23:52712 view
2025-05-04 23:012094 view
2025-05-04 22:402144 view
2025-05-04 22:361442 view
2025-05-04 22:272397 view
2025-05-04 21:472164 view
PACCAR is recalling over 220,000 of its 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks. The commercial tru
Stellantis-owned Chrysler is recalling more than 338,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees because of a ball join
KENNER, La. (AP) — Authorities in a New Orleans suburb say a man who was distraught over the recent