Officials identify pursuit suspect in fiery Clairemont crash that killed San Diego police officer – NBC 7 San Diego

On Wednesday, county officials identified the suspect in the pursuit who was killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Clairemont Monday night that also left a San Diego police officer dead and another officer injured.

The crash, which involved at least four vehicles, was reported around 11:30 p.m. near the intersection of Doliva Drive and Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, just west of Interstate 805.

Edgar Giovanny Oviedo, 16, of San Diego, was driving a BMW sedan eastbound on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard when he collided with a northbound San Diego Police Department SUV, the San Diego County Coroner's Office said based on preliminary information.

First responders attempted to save Oviedo while taking him to a nearby emergency room, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the coroner.

The incident began when police attempted to stop the vehicle traveling at high speeds on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, but the driver refused to yield. A supervisor called off the pursuit because of that speed, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said.

Then two police officers in a police car “responded to the fleeing suspect,” Wahl said. The suspect's car drove into the side of the police car at high speed.

“One of the officers was seriously injured and the driver of the police vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene,” Wahl said.

Officers were outside the emergency room at Sharp Memorial Hospital in Kearny Mesa, where the injured officer remains in intensive care. NBC 7's Kelvin Henry has more details.

These officers were identified by the department head on Tuesday evening.

Officer Austin Machitar, 30, who was hired by the department in March 2019, died at the scene, Wahl said.

As the investigation continues into a fire crash in Clairemont that killed San Diego police officer Austin Machitar and seriously injured another person, family members are gathering at the scene to share their memories of him. NBC 7's Shelby Bremer spoke with people who knew him about his commitment to his community.

“Austin was the guy you want on your team. He was athletic. He was a competitor. He had a passion for training. He was one of our field coaches,” Wahl said during a press conference at Sharp Memorial Hospital. “Austin had a very infectious smile and a personality that made him one of a kind. He leaves behind his sister and his parents, who live here.”

Machitar's partner that night, 27-year-old Officer Zachary Martinez, was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital with serious injuries and remains in critical condition, according to the police chief. Martinez has been with the department since March 2023 and is a Marine reservist, Wahl added.

“He's a boy from Texas who came to San Diego with the Navy and fell in love with this city. He was born and raised to serve. He's an EMT. His heart is in helping people,” Wahl said. “We're very optimistic he's going to be OK, but he's got a very long road ahead of him.”

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl identified the two police officers involved in the serious car crash that left one of them dead and the other injured.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also spoke during Tuesday's press conference, saying it was important for the community to come together.

“I will be thinking of Austin and his family. We will honor him for who he is. This man was a hero. He stood up for all of us,” Gloria said. “He gave his life in service to the city – that is a debt we can never repay.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the announcement of Machitar’s death.

“Jennifer and I are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Officer Machitar. His family, friends and colleagues at the San Diego Police Department are in our hearts during this difficult time. Our thoughts are also with his colleague who was seriously injured,” he said in a statement.

SDPD Chief Scott Wahl said one officer was killed and another was seriously injured in a crash following a chase in Clairemont Mesa. The suspect is also dead.

Video taken after the crash shows more than a dozen police vehicles in the area, and at least four vehicles sustained major damage from the fire. Although two other civilian vehicles were involved, according to SDPD, no other civilian injuries were reported.

An estimated 20 or more San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) officers responded to SDPD's radio call for assistance, SDSO Lt. Daniel Wilson said.

Because of the magnitude of the situation, Wahl said SDPD requested that the California Highway Patrol conduct an independent investigation into the accident to fully reconstruct the exact sequence of events. The investigation is ongoing.

“I can't put into words the emotions that come up at a time like this, when police officers come to work to make a difference and help those in need and put their lives on the line for people they don't even know,” Wahl said early Tuesday. “Last night we lost a good one.”

Several other agencies from across the county also responded to the call for assistance, including officers from the CHP and Escondido Police Department, according to their respective agencies.

The exit ramps from I-805 southbound and northbound to Clairemont Mesa Boulevard were closed to all traffic for more than 12 hours. The exit ramps reopened around 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The collision was recorded by numerous surveillance cameras. Residents, who were just getting ready for bed, were completely surprised by the tragedy unfolding right outside their windows.

The impact caused a fireball to rise above a gas station on the corner, as two surveillance cameras at the California Suites Hotel show.

“At first I thought I had dreamed it. It just sounded like a bomb had exploded,” said witness Christopher Abrew.

The flames were simply too large to be extinguished with the water source available in the area. Nevertheless, customers at the C&R Food Mart gas station stopped what they were doing and tried their best by emptying the fire extinguishers.

A video shows passers-by spraying the police car and pouring buckets of water over it. The fire brigade was the first to put out the flames.

Despite the sadness over the accident, there are still many questions about what happened. The California Highway Patrol is investigating. Dave Summers of NBC 7 spoke to witnesses.

According to Officer Down Memorial, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring fallen police officers, at least 36 San Diego police officers have died in the line of duty since 1913, along with one police dog. While most of them were shot, 11 were killed in accidents involving cars or motorcycles. The last officer killed in the line of duty was Officer Jonathan “JD” Deguzman in 2016.

The San Diego Police Officers Association has launched a fundraising campaign to benefit the families of the police officers involved. The goal is to raise $250,000 for funeral and medical expenses.

NBC 7 Investigates reporter Alexis Rivas explains police policy on chases.

Once a dispatcher orders officers to stop pursuing a car, it happens immediately. Not only must officers stop the pursuit entirely, but they must also not “track” or even pursue the suspect. However, officers do not have to wait for a supervisor to stop pursuing a suspect.

With few exceptions, police are not allowed to drive on the wrong side of a divided road. In general, officers may not use their cars to corner, ram, or jostle a suspect's car unless they have permission from their supervisor. An officer may only use stop bars if dispatchers are aware of them and communicate their location.

So when can police even initiate a chase? In San Diego, all an officer needs is reasonable suspicion that a driver or passenger has committed a misdemeanor, a misdemeanor or a felony. That's where San Diego's approach differs from other cities. In places like Dallas, Philadelphia and Phoenix, for example, police aren't allowed to pursue suspects for misdemeanors. But here in San Diego, officers are allowed to pursue drivers for something as minor as a speeding ticket. And the police chief said that's how the chase began Monday night – because they failed to yield during a traffic stop for speeding.

SDPD policy specifically states that officers should not assume that anyone who flees from police or refuses to yield is a serious suspect. Often, they say, ending a pursuit is the best decision.

San Diego's chase policy recently came under scrutiny after a high-speed chase ended in the deaths of two young pedestrians. Among the changes recommended by the city's independent police commission is a ban on all chases except for violent crimes.

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