One officer was killed, and another one seriously injured, as they pursued a fleeing suspect at a dangerously high speed.
The August 27, 2024 crash, which occurred near the intersection of Doliva Drive and Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, just west of Interstate 805, involved at least four vehicles.
The incident began when police attempted to stop the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed along Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, but the driver failed to yield. A supervisor then called off the pursuit due to that speed, San Diego Police Department Chief Scott Wahl said.
However, two officers in a police car “responded to that fleeing suspect,” Wahl said. The suspect car collided at a high rate of speed into the side of the police car. “One of the officers was critically injured, and the driver of the police vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene,” Wahl said.
In a statement, California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was “heartbroken” over the loss of the officer. “His loved ones, friends and colleagues at the San Diego Police Department are in our hearts during this difficult time. Our thoughts are also with his fellow officer who was seriously injured,” he added. The suspect was also killed in the crash.
Video shot after the wreck shows more than a dozen police vehicles in the area and at least four vehicles with severe damage from the fiery crash. While two other civilian vehicles were involved, according to SDPD, no other injuries to civilians were reported.
In the 1950s, Clairemont was one of the first planned communities which included commercial business, retail shopping, schools, libraries, and other city amenities in design plans. In 1976, the first Price Club (which would become Costco) opened on Morena Boulevard. Price Club operated at the site until its merger with Costco in 1993.