A 25-year-old California police officer was tragically killed in the line of duty after being struck by a vehicle while assisting motorists involved in a crash, authorities confirmed.

According to a statement from the City of La Mesa, Officer Lauren Craven was driving eastbound on Interstate 8 near Fairmount Avenue around 10:24 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20, when she stopped to help two drivers who had been in a collision.

While rendering aid at the scene, Craven was hit by another vehicle. Emergency crews responded immediately, but she later succumbed to her injuries.

The La Mesa Police Department said Craven was acting selflessly to protect and assist others at the time of the crash, calling her death a devastating loss for the department and the community she served.“While assisting the motorists, Officer Craven was struck by an oncoming vehicle. California Highway Patrol officers performed lifesaving efforts, but tragically, Officer Craven died at the scene,” the release said per PEOPLE.

The La Mesa Police Department confirmed the heartbreaking news in a Facebook post, noting that Officer Craven was on her way back to La Mesa from San Diego Central Jail when the tragic incident took place.