The driver who led police on a brief pursuit in Clairemont before he slammed into another patrol car, killing an officer, has been identified as a 16-year-old San Diego boy.
Edgar Giovanny Oviedo first caught the attention of police about 11:30 p.m. Monday as he sped east on Clairemont Boulevard in a BMW sedan, according to San Diego police officials and the county Medical Examiner’s Office. The officer began a short pursuit when the BMW did not stop, police said. A supervisor called off the chase quickly due to the high speeds, according to police.
Two other officers riding in the same patrol car were nearby and responding to the pursuit, driving north on Doliva Drive, when the BMW crashed into the side of their car in the intersection, igniting the cruiser into flames, police said.
San Diego police Officer Austin Machitar, 30, who was driving the patrol vehicle, was killed, and his partner in the passenger seat, Officer Zach Martinez, 27, was ejected and critically injured. Police have not provided an update on his condition.
The teen was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, the medical examiner said.
Family members of Oviedo told NBC 7 San Diego that the teen had gone to pick up food when the police chase started.
The California Highway Patrol has been asked to investigate the crash.
A fundraising campaign for the officers and their families had raised more than $144,000 by Thursday afternoon.
Machitar graduated from Otay Ranch High School and worked for the San Diego Police Department for 5½ years. Both he and Martinez, a 1½-year veteran, worked out of the Northern Division station in University City.