A San Diego police officer who was critically injured in a fiery crash after a brief pursuit in Clairemont eight days ago has been discharged from the hospital to continue his recovery at home, officials from the police department and hospital said.
Officer Zachary Martinez, 27, suffered burns, a fractured back, and multiple facial injuries when the patrol car he was in was struck by a speeding teenage driver in a BMW sedan on August 26. The impact caused Martinez to be ejected from the vehicle, leading to severe injuries that initially left responding officers believing he was dead.
Despite the seriousness of his injuries, Martinez was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday in what was described as nothing short of a miracle by Police Chief Scott Wahl. Martinez expressed gratitude for the care he received from nurses and doctors at Sharp Memorial Hospital and was appreciative of the prayers offered for his recovery.
While Martinez faces a long road to recovery, he is surrounded by his family and friends who are supportive of his journey. An emotional video showed Martinez being wheeled out of the hospital with his face, arms, and left leg bandaged, receiving warm embraces and applause from his colleagues.
As Martinez begins his recovery journey, the San Diego Police Department mourns the loss of Officer Austin Machitar, who tragically died in the same crash. Machitar’s funeral arrangements are still pending, and the department continues to investigate the circumstances leading to the crash that also claimed the life of the teenage driver, Edgar Giovanny Oviedo.
The San Diego Police Officers Association has set up a fund to support the families of Machitar and Martinez, with over $208,000 already pledged. The details of the crash are still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, with Police Chief Wahl awaiting further answers.
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