San Diego police officer killed in crash with fleeing car identified as Austin Machitar

A San Diego police officer was killed, and another was critically injured when a speeding vehicle crashed into their patrol car, according to the police chief. The driver of the speeding vehicle also died in the collision.

The officer who died has been identified as Austin Machitar.

The crash happened late Monday after a vehicle was seen speeding on a boulevard. An officer attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle did not pull over, leading to a brief pursuit. Chief Scott Wahl explained that due to the high speed, a supervisor decided to terminate the chase. However, the suspect vehicle eventually collided with the patrol car at high speed.

Machitar, who was driving the police car, died at the scene. The other officer is in intensive care and is “fighting for his life,” Chief Wahl said.

The San Diego Police Department released a statement on Facebook, expressing their profound grief and asking for prayers for the officers’ families. They also thanked the community and fellow law enforcement agencies for their support during this difficult time.

Several other cars were involved in the crash, but the drivers of those vehicles were not significantly injured.

The California Highway Patrol is conducting an independent investigation to reconstruct the events leading up to the crash. Chief Wahl noted that there will be more information and questions as the investigation progresses.

This incident comes as the San Diego Union-Tribune reported earlier this month that a city oversight commission had recommended changes to police pursuit policies based on data from over 1,000 police chases. The recommendations include limiting pursuits to cases involving violent crimes.