San Diego Police Officer, Suspect Driver Die in Crash

San Diego police officer Austin Machitar died, while officer Zachary Martinez was injured, in a car crash following a pursuit with a suspect..

At a Glance

Veteran officer Austin Machitar was killed in a crash involving a suspect.
Officer Zachary Martinez was critically injured in the same incident.
The suspect being pursued by police also died in the crash.
The crash ignited the police vehicle, killing Machitar at the scene.

Tragic Police Pursuit in San Diego

On a fateful night in San Diego, a devastating crash took the life of Austin Machitar, a 30-year-old field training officer after a high-speed police pursuit. The pursuit began when officers attempted to pull over a vehicle for speeding on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. The driver refused to stop, initiating a brief high-speed chase. The pursuit was called off due to the high speed, but the suspect later collided with Machitar’s vehicle.

News outlets have not been clear about how exactly the crash occurred. However, Police Chief Scott Wahl explained that, “Two officers working together in one vehicle were responding to that fleeing suspect. And ultimately the suspect vehicle collided at a high rate of speed into the side of their vehicle.”

The crash resulted in a fiery explosion, killing Officer Machitar at the scene and critically injuring 27-year-old Officer Zachary Martinez, a Navy reservist and EMT. The driver of the pursued vehicle also died in the crash, which involved two additional vehicles whose drivers sustained minor injuries. Witnesses described hearing a boom followed by an explosion of fire.

A San Diego police officer and the driver of another vehicle died when the driver crashed into the officer's car following a chase Monday night, police say. https://t.co/ftDbsYqe5y

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 28, 2024

Community Response and Investigation

Following the tragedy of Monday night, Mayor Todd Gloria expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen and injured officers. Police Chief Scott Wahl highlighted the extreme dangers faced by police officers, emphasizing the courage and dedication of Machitar. The California Highway Patrol is now conducting a full investigation into the incident to reconstruct the events leading up to the fatal collision.

“We all know the hazards,” Wahl said, “But it’s days like today that are a very real reminder just how dangerous the job is.”

Governor Gavin Newsom announced that flags at the state Capitol would be flown at half-staff in honor of Officer Machitar, expressing heartbreak over the loss.

It is with the heaviest of hearts that the San Diego Police Department announces the tragic loss of Officer Austin Machitar #7989. Officer Machitar and his partner, Officer Zachary Martinez #1901, were involved in a collision last night while responding to a vehicle pursuit. pic.twitter.com/1Do3TOxmTd

— San Diego Police Department (@SanDiegoPD) August 28, 2024

Debate Over Police Pursuits

Recently, the Commission on Police Practices reviewed the vehicle pursuit policy, recommending that pursuits be limited to violent felonies due to the substantial risks they pose. The San Diego Police Officers Association has opposed this recommendation, calling it dangerous. In light of the recent tragedy, a vigorous debate is underway about the necessity and dangers of high-speed pursuits.

SDPD and community stakeholders are now focused on supporting the officers’ families. The San Diego Police Officers Association has set up a Fund a Hero donation page to aid the families of Machitar and Martinez. This tragedy has drawn attention to both the heroism of our officers and the perilous nature of their work.