SAN DIEGO — The family of Zachary Martinez, the 27-year-old San Diego police officer who was severely injured in a deadly car crash is speaking out.
Martinez went home from the hospital last week.
CBS 8 did not interview his family. Zach's mom and dad spoke exclusively with San Diego's Police Department last week and the video was released to media outlets Tuesday.
"The pain is becoming more excruciating, because he is beginning to feel things," Sabrina James said. “And he's just really, really sore, and there's still broken bones, but he's, he's doing much, much better."
Martinez was in the hospital for days after he was severely hurt in a deadly car crash that killed his partner, Austin Machitar and 16-year-old Edgar Oviiedo on Aug. 26.
The investigation into the crash continues.
Martinez was released from the hospital last week and is now recovering at home.
"He's got lots of you know, as far as his bones and his bruises, he's, he was very swollen and everything, so he's beginning to the swelling is beginning to go down," James added.
Martinez’s family raced to San Diego from Lubbock, Texas after the accident to be by his side.
"I could not hold it together. I was very it was very emotional, because all you could see was two eyes peeking out with a breathing tube in, and he was covered in gauze," she said.
At first, Martinez’s mother says he was disoriented and didn't recognize parents. However, with the help of the medical staff at Sharp, the San Diego Police Department - and as Martinez's family said - communities from San Diego to Lubbock, Texas; Zachary is being supported from near and far and is feeling more like himself.
"Everybody's just rallied around us. The prayers are just, I think the prayers is what helped Zachary get through what he's been through," his mom said.
Martinez had been with San Diego Police Department for 18 months before the crash.
His parents say Martinez’s decision to first join the navy, and then become a police officer both worried and made them very proud.
"As a mom, you worry, very worried. You know, you always telling, you know, be safe out there. Call us when your shifts over,” Martinez’s mom added.
“Just to make sure it was safe,” Robbie James shared. “But that was his calling. He always ready for it and his calling was to help other people."
Martinez’s partner, 30 year old Machitar, had been with SDPD for five and a half years. Martinez’s mother says Machitar was Martinez’s best friend.
Martinez and his family met Machitar's family privately after Martinez was released from the hospital.
"They wanted to meet us, and we really wanted to meet them. It was very heartwarming. It was very emotional and there were lots of tears. Lots of stories and it was very good. We really enjoyed meeting them," Sabrina James shared.
"Zach and Austin were really excited that they got to ride together (at SDPD) as well. So, it's very hard for Zachary right now. He's kind of struggling with that because his best friend's gone and he's still here."
"The wounds will heal. The aspect that he lost his partner is going to take him a while,” she concluded.
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