A San Diego Police Department officer died and another was fighting for his life Tuesday following a fiery crash in Clairemont Mesa that also killed a possibly teenage suspect who allegedly fled from an attempted traffic stop and sparked a short pursuit.
The crash between a police SUV cruiser and a BMW occurred at 11:32 p.m. Monday in the 5200 block of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, near Doliva Drive.
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According to video news service OnScene TV, the police cruiser caught fire and one officer was ejected through the windshield of the SUV. The pursuit suspect behind the wheel of the BMW died at a hospital, and was believed to be a 14- or 15-year-old boy, OnScene reported.
Police Chief Scott Wahl told reporters Tuesday morning he could not confirm the suspect's age.
Fighting back tears as he spoke to reporters, Wahl said, "It is for any other reason that I'd rather be in front of you all today than to have to announce the passing of one of our officers last night, and a second officer that's fighting for his life in the hospital.
"Last night, we had a vehicle that was traveling at a high rate of speed down Clairemont Mesa Boulevard," Wahl said. "We had a police officer that tried to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle failed to yield and a brief pursuit ensued. Due to the high rate of speed, a supervisor terminated that pursuit. Two officers working together in one vehicle were responding to that fleeing suspect, and ultimately the suspect vehicle collided at a high rate of speed into the side of their vehicle.
"One of the officers was critically injured, and is in the ICU," Wahl said. "The driver of that police vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene."
Wahl said that "due to the enormity of the situation and all the emotion that's behind it," the investigation was turned over to the California Highway Patrol. Wahl said several other vehicles were involved in the crash, but no other serious injuries were reported.
"I can't put into words the feelings that come at a time like this," he said. "When we have police officers that are coming to work to make a difference, to help those in need, and are putting their lives on the line for people they don't even know. And last night we lost a good one."
The name of the officer who died was not immediately released.
County Supervisor Jim Desmond issued a statement on social media Tuesday saying, "Horrific news this morning as we mourn the loss of one of our dedicated officers. Every day, these brave men and women put their lives on the line to keep our community safe. We must never take their service or their sacrifices for granted. My thoughts are with the officer's family, friends, and all who knew them during this difficult time. May they find peace and strength in the days ahead."
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department issued a statement saying, "On behalf of Sheriff Kelly A. Martinez and the Sheriff's Office, our condolences go out to our brothers and sisters at SDPD over the death of one of their officers in the line of duty. We are also praying for the recovery of a second officer who was critically injured in the incident. We are here for you, SDPD."
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