Police officer, 20, killed in Sydney car crash while responding to car theft

A 20-year-old female police officer was killed in the line of duty when her vehicle collided with a tree.

Mia Lay was reportedly responding to a car theft in New South Wales, when the car crashed at about 1:30am (Australia time) on Sep. 25.

She was in the passenger seat and reportedly died on impact, according to ABC News.

The driver of the car, a 24-year-old male constable, was attended to by paramedics at the scene and taken to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a stable condition.

Remembered by family and colleagues

Lay, a constable, had been in the force for 16 months.

She showed "exceptional promise” as a police officer, said New South Wales (NSW) police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, according to The Guardian.

“There is nothing I can easily say that takes the pain away, but please know that Mia was a loved police officer.”

Meanwhile, colleagues reportedly described Lay as an "angel" and that she was destined for a "wonderful career", and someone who loved her job as an officer.

In a social media post, the Police Association of NSW (PANSW) said they are "shocked" by the sudden death of Lay and expressed concern for the other officer in hospital.

They stated that they are supporting members and families and helping coordinate welfare services, adding that field organisers have been at the scene, the police station and the hospital since shortly after the crash.

Local authorities said a "critical incident" investigation is underway.

The crash investigation unit was present at the crash site to “examine every circumstance”, and the police will determine if the driver had been following protocol, Lanyon said.