Motorcyclist Killed in Police Car Crash ID'd

A motorcyclist was killed after getting into an accident with a San Diego police car, according to police.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the victim as 62-year-old Mark Griffin McCaffrey.

The crash happened just after 7 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Balboa Avenue and Mt. Everest Boulevard in Clairemont.

Paramedics rushed McCaffrey to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The ME listed the cause of death as blunt force trauma.

Police say the officer was not injured. The officer's name has not been released.

According to officials, the officer was going westbound on Balboa when he was called to provide backup for a hit and run accident in the area. The officer did a U-turn in the intersection, colliding with the motorcycle.

Officials say the patrol car had lights and sirens on at the time of the crash. The motorcyclist applied his brakes, but still smashed into the passenger side of the patrol car.

"Drivers are expected to turn to the right outside the roadway and allow the officer to pass in an emergency," San Diego Police Lt. Mark Bennett said.

Suzanne Garrett was stopped at the traffic light behind the officer and saw the accident happen.

"When I looked over from where the sound came from, there was a man down. He did not move," Garrett said.

Garrett was still shaken up an hour after the crash.

"That man's life is not worth going after someone for property loss," she said. "That's very unnerving."

Neighbors tell NBC 7 this is a dangerous intersection and say everyone has a responsibility to other motorists.

"You have to be safe. Make sure you're looking around when you are making a U-turn," Chris Kato said. "You can't expect other people to react that quickly."


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