By Nathan Solis
Los Angeles Times
SAN DIEGO — A veteran San Diego police officer was killed and a second officer was seriously injured Monday night when their vehicle was involved in a crash while responding to a high-speed pursuit that also killed the other driver, authorities said.
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Police Chief Scott Wahl, visibly emotional, identified the officers at a Tuesday news conference. Austin Machitar, a five-year member of the department, died in the incident, he said. His partner, 27-year-old Zachary Martinez, was critically injured.
Wahl said the 30-year-old Machitar was a field training officer and his partner was one of his former trainees. “Austin had a very infectious smile and a character that made him one of a kind,” the chief said.
Martinez has been with the department for a little over a year, Wahl said, and is a Navy reservist from Texas.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said the officer was “fighting for his life.”
“His wounds are extremely grave,” Gloria said.
The identity of the driver of the car police were chasing has not been released.
In Monday night’s incident, police said officers had tried to pull over a speeding driver on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard , but the driver refused to pull over and instead led them on a brief pursuit before they called off the chase because of the high speed.
The suspect drove away and crashed into a police vehicle driven by Machitar. He and Martinez had been responding to the incident shortly after 11:30 p.m. The collision ignited the police cruiser. Machitar died at the scene, and Martinez was rushed to a hospital, police said.
The driver of the car that was fleeing police was also killed in the collision, according to Wahl.
“We all know the hazards,” Wahl said, clearing his throat and struggling to master his emotion, “but it’s days like today that are a very real reminder just how dangerous the job is.”
The California Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the crash.
Italian tourist Emilia Mangiapia was staying at a hotel Monday near the intersection where the vehicles collided.
“We heard [a] boom and saw the ambulance arrive to try and help the people in the cars,” said Mangiapia, a reporter with the Italian daily newspaper Il Mattino.
“Then we saw the explosion of fire.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statement Tuesday saying, “Jennifer and I are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Officer Machitar. His loved ones, friends and colleagues at the San Diego Police Department are in our hearts during this difficult time. Our thoughts are also with his fellow officer who was seriously injured.”
Flags at the state Capitol will be flown at half-staff in Machitar’s honor, Newsom said.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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