The grieving father of Constable Mia Lay says he hopes the investigation into the crash that claimed his 20-year-old daughter’s life finds no one “at fault”, as newly released CCTV captures the police car speeding along a Sydney street moments before the fatal impact.
Constable Lay died at about 1.30am on Friday when the police vehicle she was travelling in slammed into a tree in Redfern.
She was travelling with 24-year-old Constable Brandon Torrisi, who was driving the Volkswagen Tiguan. The officers had been responding to an urgent report of a stolen car in Glebe.
Several police sources said the vehicle was travelling at more than 150km/h when it struck the tree on Gibbons Street. Constable Lay died instantly.
Crash investigators are working to establish exactly what caused the collision. Police have not ruled out charging Constable Torrisi if investigators determine he was travelling unnecessarily fast.
Mia’s father, Clem Lay, said his only hope was that the investigation would not unfairly place blame on anyone.
“If the investigation is done correctly and in detail, that’s all I could ever ask,” he told 9News.
“I don’t know what to say about that speed. I just looked at pictures of the car and the shape of the car and thought, yeah, that makes sense.”
Constable Mia Lay, pictured with her father Clem, died when the police car she was travelling in crashed into a tree on Friday
Speaking to the Nine Network, Mr Lay described his daughter as a vibrant, athletic young woman
Police said Constable Lay died instantly after the force of the crash tore the Volkswagen patrol car apart
Mr Lay said his daughter had been considering a future with the NSW Police Force’s Dog Squad, following the career path of her aunt, a serving senior officer.
When they last discussed her career, Constable Lay had been enjoying her work in the force. She had also met “the love of her life”, Dan Vasquez, a police officer based in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
“She’s always been a sporty child, blessed with athletic ability. She’s always happy all the time, full of life,” Mr Lay said.
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“She was very strong-willed. Like last week, she came over and was very strong-headed, asking me to paint my son’s room.”
“I just did it the day before. I was going to call her, tell her to come over and have a look, ‘I’ve done it finally’… and then the next morning, the police officer was at my door giving me the sad news.”
“It still hasn’t hit home, to tell you the truth. We’re all trying to come to terms with everything that’s happened.”
The comments came as CCTV footage emerged showing the moments leading up to the crash involving the patrol car carrying Constable Lay.
Footage from a security camera at a nail salon, located less than 200 metres from the crash scene, shows the patrol car speeding along Gibbons Street with its lights and sirens operating shortly before the fatal collision.
Constable Lay had been considering joining the NSW Police Dog Squad, following her aunt’s career; she is pictured at her 2025 attestation ceremony
Footage from a nail salon less than 200 metres from the crash site shows the patrol car hurtling down Gibbons Street, just seconds before the crash
Constable Lay with her partner Dan Vasquez, who is a serving police officer in Sydney’s east
While crash investigators are yet to interview Constable Torrisi, they will also examine the patrol car for any defects or mechanical issues.
The NSW Police watchdog said it would monitor the force’s investigation into the crash to ‘ensure public confidence’.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission said it could not independently investigate the incident until NSW Police completed its investigation and any coronial or criminal proceedings had concluded.
As floral tributes and messages continue to grow at the crash site, Constable Lay’s partner, who was on duty when the tragedy occurred, was seen there over the weekend taking it all in.
‘Mia loved what she did in the police, she was happy in the police, she was good at her job and she was loved by everyone in the community,’ Mr Vasquez said.
‘She was the happiest girl I’ve met. Whether she was with me or at work, I’d ask everyone to remember how stunning and beautiful she was.’
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