A San Diego police officer killed when a fleeing vehicle crashed into his patrol car had been with the department since 2019, authorities said.
Officer Austin Machitar, 30, died in the collision late Monday and his partner that night, Officer Zach Martinez, 27, was critically injured, the department said.
The driver of the speeding car also was killed. No information about the driver was released.
The department said Machitar was assigned to patrol, served as a field training officer and actively participated in videos and photoshoots intended to recruit new officers.
"His distinguished service to our city makes him a hero," Mayor Todd Gloria said in a statement.
