NEW YORK — A 24-year-old off-duty New York Police Department officer and her passenger have died after a car driven by the officer veered off a Manhattan parkway, hit a tree and erupted in flames.

Police identified the victims of the 3:45 a.m. Sunday crash as 24-year-old Kimberly Lajara and 32-year-old Oscar Monegro. Police say Lajara was a member of the 121st Precinct in Staten Island.

Our hearts go out to the family and friends @NYPD121Pct PO Kimberly LaJara?? who was killed in the early morning hours in a vehicle accident. ?????? #RIP pic.twitter.com/REFXAo86wS

— NYDominican Officers (@NYDO_1993) August 12, 2019

Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted, “We’re mourning the loss of one of New York’s Finest today.”

Police say Lajara was driving a white 2016 Mercedes Benz south on the Henry Hudson Parkway near West 98th Street when she lost control and crashed into a tree in the median. Lajara and Monegro were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say the crash investigation is ongoing.

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