Partner Zachary Martinez survived crash.
Officer Zachary Martinez at the September memorial for his partner Officer Austin Machitar. (Image from SDPD livestream)

A San Diego police officer who was badly hurt in an August collision that killed his patrol partner has returned to duty.

The department is calling Officer Zachary Martinez‘ recovery “miraculous”after the high-speed crash that killed Officer Austin Machitar. So is Sgt. Jared Wilson, president of the San Diego Police Officers Association.

“It’s Officer Zach Martinez’ first day back on patrol after the crash in August that took the life of Officer Machitar. His recovery is truly a miracle,” Wilson wrote Friday on social media.

At 11:30 p.m. Aug. 26, an officer was pursuing a speeding vehicle that failed to yield for a traffic stop. When the chase reached a high rate of speed, it was called off.

Machitar and Martinez were responding to the area when the fleeing car broadsided their patrol vehicle at 90 mph, causing a fire that engulfed the police cruiser.

Machitar was pronounced dead at the scene, while Martinez was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital in critical condition. He was present and also honored at Machitar’s memorial service.

The teen-aged driver who fled officers died in the crash.

Martinez was expected to meet reporters Sunday in a briefing.