Officer Martinez continues to recover at home after fiery pursuit crash

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego Police Officer Zachary Martinez is recovering at home from injuries sustained in a severe car crash at the end of August that left his patrol partner and a suspect dead .

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl was in the KUSI studio on Monday with an update on Officer Martinez’s recovery progress.

Chief Wahl said when they got the news last week that Officer Martinez was being released from the hospital, they were “floored” as they expected him to remain at the hospital for much longer and were just on KUSI that morning saying as much .

According to Chief Wahl, Officer Martinez is at home recovering from second and third-degree burns and broken bones all over his body. The chief noted the hospital wanted him in a less sterile environment as he continues to recover.

Officer Martinez, 27, is a Texas native and has been with the San Diego Police Department for one-and-a-half years.

San Diego Police Sergeant Jared Wilson said last week the police department flew out Officer Martinez’s family from Texas and are providing his mother and father with food and housing.

Chief Wahl during Monday’s update said Officer Martinez’s family is staying in town, helping him recover from his severe injuries, which is expected to take several months.

Officer Martinez was injured in the crash that left his patrol partner, Officer Austin Machitar, dead. The suspect also died after the high-speed police pursuit in Clairemont turned into a fiery crash.

The community can donate to help the families of both officers at https://porac.org/fundraiser/sandiegopd_officers/ . The police fundraiser is nearing its goal of $250,000.

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