Mayor Todd Gloria and San Diego Police leadership on Tuesday mourned the death of one officer and prayed for the recovery of his partner following Monday night’s tragic pursuit crash in Clairemont Mesa.
“Our city mourns the tragic loss of one of San Diego’s finest, Officer Austin Machitar,” said Gloria. “His distinguished service to our city makes him a hero. I offer the deepest condolences of the city to Austin’s family and loved ones.
“We pray for the full recovery of his patrol partner, Zachary Martinez, who was gravely injured in the crash,” the Mayor said.
The two officers’ police cruiser collided with a speeding BMW shortly after 11:30 p.m. Monday in the 5200 block of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.
The suspect was described as a teen boy who fled from a traffic stop and died in the collision. His identity has not been released.
Machitar, a 30-year-old father of four, died at the scene of the collision. Martinez, 27, was thrown through the windshield. He is in critical condition at a hospital.
Police Chief Scott Wahl described Machitar, who served with the department for about 5 1/2 years, as a “San Diego kid” who “was the kind of guy you want on your team.”
“He was athletic,” Wahl said. “He was a competitor. He had a passion for training … Austin had a very infectious smile and a character that made him one of a kind.”
Martinez, a Texas native, is an 18-month member of the department, as well as a Navy reservist and emergency medical technician, the police chief said during a late-afternoon briefing.
“He was born and raised to serve … His heart is into helping people,” Wahl said. “We are very optimistic he’s going to be OK, but he has a very long road to go.”
Gloria said the city “will support both families in every way possible as they navigate the coming days.”
The San Diego Police Officers Association has started a donation campaign to benefit the families of the involved officers, with a goal of $250,000 to aid with funeral and medical costs. Contributions may be made online at porac.org/fundraiser/sandiegopd_officers/.
The SDPD has turned over the investigation into the fatal crash to the California Highway Patrol “due to the enormity of the situation and all the emotion that’s behind it,” Wahl said.
