A high-speed car chase turned into a nightmare in Clairemont, San Diego. A San Diego police veteran was killed and his partner was seriously injured when their vehicle was involved in a crash. Both police officers were responding to a pursuit call for a speeding vehicle on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.

On Monday, the San Diego police were trying to pull over a vehicle speeding on the boulevard. But, the vehicle driver led them on a brief pursuit, refusing to stop. The police patrol vehicle then called off the pursuit due to the high speed of the chase. Thereafter, the suspect drove away and crashed into another police vehicle which caught on fire immediately.

One police officer identified as Austin Machitar died at the scene, and his partner Zachary Martinez was critically injured and rushed to the hospital. The officers in the police car that was involved in the car crash had been responding to the speeding incident shortly after 11:30 p.m.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident that happened just a short distance from her home, Ryan Garcia‘s mother, Lisa Garcia, wrote on her Instagram story, “One SDPO killed in the line of duty and one critically injured last night Judt miles from my home I heard. The sirens last night. I asked what happened? My condolences to the family and fellow officers.”

In another story, she responded by sharing the image of the San Diego Police officer killed in the car crash and noting in the captions, “My heart hurts”. After the unfortunate incident, it is important to delve deeper into the identity of the policemen who were involved in the car crash.

One of a kind, young man!

Austin Machitar, 30, who was killed in the car crash, was a five-and-a-half-year veteran of the force who had a passion for training. Notably, he also trained his partner, Zachary Martinez, 27, who was hospitalized following the car crash. “Austin had a very infectious smile and a character that made him one of a kind,” the San Diego police chief stated.

Machitar’s partner, Zachary, has been working with the department for a little over a year. He is a Texas native and Navy reservist from Texas. According to San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Zachary is “fighting for his life.”, and is on a long road to recovery.

On the other hand, the driver of the fleeing vehicle has also died. However, his identity has not been released by the police department. “We all know the hazards. But it’s days like today that are a very real reminder just how dangerous the job is,” the San Diego police chief said while struggling to contain his emotions. The California Highway Patrol is leading further investigation into the crash.

From Essentially Sports, our condolences are with the family of the officer killed in the line of duty, and we wish speedy recovery for the other officer who has been critically injured.