WEATHER ALERT

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

Advertisement

Advertise with us

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, authorities said.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.75/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Winnipeg Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $0.00 a X percent off the regular rate.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/08/2024 (403 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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, 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.

A charred police vehicle is seen in aftermath of an overnight crash which left an officer dead Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
A charred police vehicle is seen in aftermath of an overnight crash which left an officer dead Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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.

A San Diego police officer wears a band over his badge in honor of a fellow officer killed in an overnight crash at the scene of the accident Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
A San Diego police officer wears a band over his badge in honor of a fellow officer killed in an overnight crash at the scene of the accident Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Report Error Submit a Tip

World

LOAD MORE