The teenager who fatally crashed this week while fleeing from police, taking the life of one San Diego officer and critically injuring another, was identified Aug. 28.
According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, Edgar Giovanny Oviedo, 16, was behind the wheel of the BMW that struck a police SUV cruiser and several other vehicles Aug. 26.
Police said officers had attempted a traffic stop on Oviedo around 11:30 p.m. on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, about 10 miles north of downtown San Diego, but he fled. A pursuit was quickly called off by a supervisor because Oviedo was driving dangerously fast, but some officers remained nearby.
“Two officers working together in one vehicle were responding to that fleeing suspect, and ultimately the suspect’s vehicle collided at a high rate of speed into the side of their vehicle,” San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said.
The crash killed Oviedo and Officer Austin Machitar, 30, who was driving the SUV, and sent Officer Zach Martinez, 27, through the windshield.
Martinez was training under Machitar and occasionally rode with him on patrol, Wahl said. Martinez was taken to a trauma center in critical condition, where he remains. Machitar was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other drivers involved were not seriously injured, according to Wahl.
The investigation has been turned over to the California Highway Patrol “due to the enormity of the situation and all the emotion that’s behind it,” Wahl said.
At a Tuesday news conference, Wahl said Machitar, a San Diego native and a father of four, had worked for the department for over five years.
“He was a competitor. He had a passion for training. ... Austin had a very infectious smile and a character that made him one of a kind,” he said.
He said Martinez, originally from Texas, has worked for the department for 18 months and is also a Navy reservist, emergency medical technician, and “was born and raised to serve.” Martinez is expected to survive, with a long road ahead, Wahl said.
“I can’t put into words the feelings that come at a time like this, when we have police officers that are coming to work to make a difference, to help those in need, and are putting their lives on the line for people they don’t even know,” he said.
San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond reminded Californians on social media Tuesday to keep in mind the risks police officers face.
“We must never take their service or their sacrifices for granted. My thoughts are with the officer’s family, friends, and all who knew them,” he said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statement Tuesday, saying he and his wife were heartbroken over Machitar’s death.
“His loved ones, friends and colleagues at the San Diego Police Department are in our hearts during this difficult time. Our thoughts are also with his fellow officer who was seriously injured,” he said.
