Memorial service to be held for SDPD officer killed in Clairemont crash

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A memorial service will be held in honor of the San Diego police officer who died in a deadly crash in Clairemont last month.

Austin Machitar, a 30-year-old five-and-a-half-year veteran of the department, was killed after a vehicle involved in a police pursuit on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard collided with his patrol car on Aug. 26.

The collision occurred around 11:30 p.m. after officers observed the suspect vehicle traveling down Clairemont Mesa Boulevard at a high rate of speed, according to SDPD. A pursuit was initiated after the driver failed to yield.

The pursuit was later called off by supervising sergeants. Shortly thereafter, the suspect vehicle crashed into Machitar’s patrol car laterally at the roadway’s intersection with Doliva Drive, authorities said.

The suspect, identified as 16-year-old Edgar Oviedo , was also killed in the crash.

Meanwhile, Machitar’s patrol partner, 27-year-old Officer Zachary Martinez, sustained critical injuries. He was released from the hospital last Tuesday and is continuing his recovery at home.

UC San Diego Health posted a video Tuesday on Facebook of Martinez being discharged from the hospital’s regional burn center after being treated there for nearly a week following his transfer from Sharp Memorial Hospital.

Next Saturday, Sept. 21, processions for Machitar will begin at 7:45 a.m. at Snapdragon Stadium and continue south on Interstate 15 and Interstate 8.

The funeral procession will conclude at the Shadow Mountain Community Church, located at 2100 Greenfield Dr. in El Cajon, where the memorial service will be held. The service is open to the public.

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