HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- A Hollywood police officer killed in fiery crash Saturday night has been identified.

Officer Alex Del Rio was a nine-year veteran of the force. He was killed when his vehicle slammed into a tree on the 7000 block of Sheridan Street and burst into flames.

"The fire was going up to the top of the tree and stuff," said Luis Garcia, who saw the accident. "It looked like the gentleman was still in the car. The only car on scene was a Charger. It had just pulled up and the cop was running towards it, but there wasn't much he could do. The car was covered in flames already."

Police said that at about 8:40 p.m. Del Rio had completed a traffic stop on Sheridan Street. A few minutes later, he was back on patrol when he saw a car possibly speeding eastbound on Sheridan Street. Del Rio attempted to stop the vehicle but "took evasive action" to avoid hitting a taxi cab. That cab driver is cooperating with police and is considered a witness in the incident.

Del Rio joined the Hollywood Police Department as a part-time Community Service Aide in February 1996. He then went on to become a full-time police officer in April 1999.

"He was a very good officer, very energetic person, always positive and a young bright officer," said Police Chief Chadwick Wagner. "It's going to be a tragic loss for the city of Hollywood. Very tragic."