A police officer has died in a crash involving a marked police car in Sydney. The incident happened around 1:30 a.m. on Friday when the vehicle crashed into a tree on Gibbons Street in Redfern. The officers were responding to a reported vehicle theft in Glebe with their lights and sirens activated. The passenger in the car, Mia Lay, a 20-year-old female constable who had been with the force for 16 months, died instantly in the crash. The driver, a 24-year-old male constable, was treated by paramedics and taken to the hospital in stable condition. Mia Lay was described by Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon as a courageous and dedicated officer who would not be forgotten. A crime scene has been established, and police have declared the incident critical. The NSW Police watchdog will monitor the force’s investigation to ensure public confidence. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission said it cannot independently investigate the incident until the NSW police complete their probe and any coronial or criminal proceedings are concluded. Premier Chris Minns and police minister Yasmin Catley expressed their condolences to the loved ones of the deceased officer. Catley praised the dedication of police officers in looking after others and said the NSW Police family is mourning one of its own. Minns also expressed thoughts for the officer injured in the crash and those who responded at the scene. The NSW opposition leader, Kelly Sloane, called the news heartbreaking, noting the officer’s service while most people were asleep. Regent Street remains closed in both directions between Lawson and Cleveland streets. Motorists are advised to avoid the area, and several bus routes have been diverted as a result of the incident.