Phaninc-San Diego police identify the officer killed in a collision with a speeding vehicle

2025-05-08 09:42:17source:Winimark Wealth Societycategory:reviews

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,Phaninc 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.

More:reviews

Recommend

Why did Bill Belichick go to North Carolina? New UNC coach explains jump to college

Bill Belichick has officially made the shocking move to college football by becoming the North Carol

Hurricane forecasters expect tropical cyclone to hit swath of East Coast with wind, rain

Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin Friday along portions of the East Coast, as a low pr

Energy Department announces $325M for batteries that can store clean electricity longer

The Energy Department is announcing a $325 million investment in new battery types that can help tur