When Zachary Martinez awoke in Sharp Memorial in late August, he wasn’t sure where he was or how he’d gotten there.

Martinez spotted his mom and asked what was going on. She said he’d been in a car accident, and his first thought was, “I need to call Austin and tell him what happened.” Austin Machitar was Martinez’s partner at the San Diego Police Department.

Then someone explained that Machitar was dead, and Martinez wondered if he’d be able to go back to being an officer.

The fact that Martinez even had that choice to make is somewhat of a miracle.

Around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 26, someone reported a speeding BMW headed east on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. Police initially pursued the driver, but a supervisor quickly called them off because of how fast the other vehicle was going. Martinez and Machitar were on their way to the call when the BMW slammed into the side of their car.

Machitar, 30, was killed. Martinez, 27, was thrown from the vehicle. His neck broke. His brain bled. Multiple ribs were fractured, as were his cheekbones. One of the first officers who got to the scene thought he was dead.

Yet Martinez was back on patrol this weekend, and he addressed reporters Sunday outside the department’s Northern Division headquarters in full uniform, a Taser on his belt and a radio slung over his chest. The only obvious mark from the crash was mottled purple skin pulled tight across the top of his left hand.

Martinez doesn’t remember the collision. He barely remembers the day. He’s got a vague memory of going with a roommate to look at a truck before the shift, and of responding to a call at a motel with Machitar, but both seem almost too mundane to be in the same day that ended his partner’s life.

Martinez does recall being on the ground, surrounded by a strange mix of darkness and light, and asking God that he be given a second chance.

Martinez spent more than a week in San Diego hospitals before receiving additional treatment, including physical therapy and burn care, in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas. Once he regained his bearings, it wasn’t hard to recommit to the police department. He’d dreamed of being an officer ever since he was a kid, and one of the reasons he liked his job was Machitar, who’d helped train him and brought a lightness to every shift.

He now wears a black wristband with Machitar’s name on it. “I wish I would have said ‘thank you’ again,” Martinez said. “He had taught me a lot.”

He praised everyone from the mayor and police chief to his colleagues and neighbors for their ongoing support.

The accident also took the life of the driver, 16-year-old Edgar Giovanny Oviedo.

“I forgive him,” Martinez said. “This job, you see people that may not have the best intentions, they may not have done the best thing, but I gain nothing from holding a grudge against somebody.”

“I hope he’s at peace,” Martinez added.

Staff writer Teri Figueroa contributed to this report.

Originally Published: December 22, 2024 at 7:53 PM PST

San Diego State has received a commitment from Central Michigan quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr., giving the Aztecs a pair of dual-threat transfers to compete for starting quarterback in spring practice.

Michigan transfer quarterback Jayden Denegal signed with the Aztecs following a midweek visit to campus.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Emanuel and the 6-5, 235-pound Denegal both have size, speed and strong arms. Both also have two years of eligibility remaining.

“I love competition,” Emanuel said Sunday morning before catching a flight home to Houston. “It brings out the best in people, so I feel like it’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s always good for you. Iron sharpens iron.”

Emanuel and Denegal were among more than two dozen transfers who made recruiting visits to SDSU the past two weeks.

Seventeen of the players have made commitments, including six who visited this weekend.

In addition to Emanuel, SDSU also received commitments from wide receivers Jacob Bostick (Texas A&M) and Trayvon Rudolph (Northern Illinois), defensive lineman Malachi Finau (Hawaii), linebacker Mister Williams (Incarnate Word) and cornerback Kai Rapolla (Cal Poly).

Emanuel said he is impressed with the culture SDSU coach Sean Lewis and his staff are establishing.

“Everyone here is in love with football,” he said. “They aren’t just here for the money. They truly love football and that’s the type of team I want to be a part of. … The energy in the program is great, and I believe in (Lewis’) plan and system to go out there and help us win games.”

SDSU got a glimpse of Emanuel in September, when he subbed for Central Michigan starting quarterback Joe Labas at times against the Aztecs. Emanuel attempted one pass while rushing six times for 32 yards in a 22-21 Chippewas victory.

Emanuel has been most impressive running the ball, carrying 145 times for 844 yards (6.1 ypc) and 12 touchdowns. The highlight was a 2022 game against Buffalo, when he rushed for 293 yards and three touchdowns. Emanuel is 27 of 51 passing for 439 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions.

Emanuel’s career has been sidetracked by injuries, but he’s healthy now and eager for a fresh start with the Aztecs.

“What I bring to the field is my dual-threat ability,” he said. “I am able to attack the defense through the air and also on the ground with my legs.”

Emanuel views himself as a good fit for the SDSU offense as “a dynamic quarterback here helping us win a lot of games and putting up a lot of points in the near future.”

Emanuel is the son of Bert Emanuel Sr., who was a college quarterback at UCLA and Rice before playing eight seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver.

“It helps a lot being able to sit back and just talk ball with him, any day, all day,” Emanuel said. “I know I can just call him and talk football.”

Among the newcomers joining Emanuel is Rudolph, who collected 151 receptions for 2,032 yards and 10 touchdowns during his time at Northern Illinois. The Huskies just happen to be SDSU’s Week 4 opponent on the 2025 schedule.

Rapolla had 41 tackles this season at Cal Poly, with three fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

Williams, who is the older brother of SDSU safety Prince Williams, had four sacks among 78 tackles this season at Incarnate Word.

SDSU received commitments from Denegal, running back Christian Williams (Coastal Carolina), a Helix High School graduate, and defensive back Dwayne McDougle (Idaho) after midweek visits.

The transfer commitments began pouring in just more than a week ago after SDSU brought in 11 players for visits. Seven players from that group have committed.

The offense added wide receiver Myles Kitt-Denton (Northwestern State), tight ends Jackson Ford (Tulsa) and Seth Adams (Southeastern Louisiana) and offensive lineman Bayo Kannike (Utah Tech).

The defense added edge Niles King (Grand Valley State) and linebacker Tanner Williams (Utah State). Punter Hunter Green (Northern Colorado) also signed.

SDSU had 22 players enter the transfer portal, though two who announced (wide receiver Jordan Napier and linebacker Brady Anderson) have decided to remain with the Aztecs.

Originally Published: December 22, 2024 at 3:22 PM PST