Miracle: Officer Back on Duty with SDPD After Crash That Killed His Partner
The department is calling Officer Zachary Martinez' recovery "miraculous"after the high-speed crash that killed Officer Austin Machitar.
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.
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. #americasfinest pic.twitter.com/heVlbAOWrd
— Jared Wilson (@POAJWIL) December 20, 2024
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.
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