Constable Mia Lay, 20, was killed when a police patrol car hit a tree on Gibbons Street in Redfern, Sydney, at about 1.30am on Friday. She and Constable Brandon Torrisi, 24, were responding to an urgent report of a stolen car; reports citing police sources say the vehicle was travelling at more than 150km/h. The crash, just 100 metres from Redfern Police Station, is under investigation, and police have not ruled out charging Torrisi if investigators find he was speeding unnecessarily.

Torrisi sustained minor injuries and has not yet been interviewed. Investigators will examine the car for possible mechanical faults, while the NSW police watchdog is monitoring the force’s inquiry and says it cannot conduct its own investigation until police and any coronial or criminal proceedings are complete. Lay had served for 16 months and was remembered by her family, partner and colleagues as devoted to her work and much loved.