A driver is being held in police custody after a female Mountie was killed in an on-duty crash early Tuesday morning.

Const. Sarah Beckett, who has served in B.C. for 11 years, leaves behind a husband and two young children.

The 32-year-old was fatally injured after a collision with a pickup truck in Langford, near Victoria, around 3:30 a.m.

Paramedics tried to revive the officer, but she died of her injuries a half hour after the accident.

The impact of the crash crumpled the driver’s side of the cruiser, and the front end of the pickup truck.

“Today is a tragic and difficult day. Today we lost one of our own,” said Chief Supt. Ray Bernoties of the Island District RCMP in a press conference just hours after the constable’s death.

“Right now Sarah’s RCMP family is beginning to understand the impact of her loss. There will be tough days ahead.”

The driver of the pickup truck was taken to hospital for a medical assessment but his injuries were not deemed serious. He remains in custody.

Supt. Chief Bernoties would not say if the driver was being pursued at the time of the crash, which is now being investigated by the Saanich Police.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his sympathy for Beckett's family and friends after learning of her death.

Ralph Goodale, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, also expressed condolences in a statement.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” Goodale said.

RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson said he was extending the force’s full support to Beckett’s family and RCMP members as they grieve her loss.

Beckett spent her career working across Vancouver Island – in Port McNeill and Vancouver Island Major Crimes before moving to the West Shore detachment.

“It became very clear early this morning that Const. Beckett was a very popular member. She has an enormous circle of friends and a loving family,” said Supt. Chief Bernoties, adding that it’s too early to say what charges the pickup driver may face.