‘Truly a miracle’: SDPD officer severely hurt in deadly Clairemont crash returns to duty

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego police officer who was severely injured in a deadly crash in August returned to duty Friday, according to a social media post.

According to a post on X , formerly Twitter, by Sgt. Jared Wilson, the director of the San Diego Police Officer Association, Friday was the first day back on patrol for Officer Zachary Martinez.

“His recovery is truly a miracle,” Wilson wrote in the post.

PREVIOUS: Officer Martinez’ parents speak on his recovery at home after fiery pursuit crash

On Aug. 26, 27-year-old Martinez and his partner, 30-year-old Officer Austin Machitar, were involved in a fiery crash in the area of 5200 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. just after 11:30 p.m.

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Officer Zach Martinez, who was injured in a fiery crash that killed his partner, Officer Austin Machitar, returned to duty on Dec. 20, 2024. (SDPOA)

The crash happened after a high-speed pursuit along Clairemont Mesa Boulevard that was called off after the suspect vehicle, driven by 16-year-old Edgar Giovanny Oviedo, did not pull over for nearby patrols who were trying to conduct a traffic stop.

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