A San Diego police officer, 30-year-old Austin Machitar, lost his life in the line of duty when a fleeing vehicle crashed into his patrol car on Monday night. His partner that evening, Officer Zach Martinez, 27, sustained critical injuries in the collision. Unfortunately, the driver of the speeding car also perished, although their identity remains undisclosed.

Officer Machitar had been serving with the San Diego Police Department since 2019. His roles included patrol assignments, serving as a field training officer, and actively engaging in recruiting activities by participating in videos and photoshoots aimed at attracting new officers. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria hailed Machitar as a hero, recognizing his exceptional service to the city.

Officer Martinez, who has been a part of the department for 1 1/2 years and was mentored by Machitar, is currently in critical but stable condition at a hospital following the tragic incident. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Initial reports suggest that an officer initiated a pursuit of the speeding vehicle, which was subsequently called off by a supervisor. Tragically, Machitar and Martinez were on their way to respond to the situation when the speeding car collided with the side of their patrol vehicle. Further updates on Martinez’s condition are pending.