San Diego Police Officer Killed, Another Injured, Suspect Dead In Pursuit Crash

SAN DIEGO, CA — A San Diego police officer was killed and another was critically injured when a high-speed pursuit ended in a fiery crash late Monday night in the Clairemont Mesa area of San Diego, authorities said. The suspect was also killed in the multi-vehicle crash.

The collision was reported shortly after 11:30 p.m. in the 5200 block of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, according to the San Diego Police Department.

A vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed down Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, according to the SDPD. Police tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to stop.

Officers stopped the pursuit due to the high rate of speed, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said during a news conference Tuesday morning.

The suspect fled and ultimately collided into the side of the police vehicle. The driver of the police vehicle died at the scene, Wahl said. The other officer was critically injured and was in the intensive care unit at a local hospital.

The name of the officer who died was not immediately released.

"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 they are putting their lives on the line for people that they don't even know," Wahl said. "And last night, we lost a good one."

The driver of the suspect vehicle also died at the scene, Wahl said.

There were at least two other civilian vehicles involved in the crash, Wahl said, but no other injuries were reported.

"While most of us were sleeping last night, a heroic San Diego police officer died protecting us from a criminal who was willing to kill others to escape justice," said Jared Wilson, president of the San Diego Police Officers Association. "Another officer is critically injured fighting for his life. Please keep them in your prayers."

The California Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation of the crash.

As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, the northbound and southbound I-805 off-ramps to Clairemont Mesa Boulevard remained closed due to the investigation, according to Caltrans.