Mechanic's family pays tribute after crash that also killed police officer

The family of a mechanic killed in a horror crash in Victoria have paid tribute to him.

Josh Moore, 23, was killed in a head on collision at Red Cliffs near Mildura, north west of Melbourne, on Friday night.

Police believe his Nissan Navara veered into an unmarked police car, also killing Senior Constable Bria Joyce.

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A second highway patrol officer, leading Senior Constable Thomas Kinnane, was critically injured.

"No one wants to go through this," Trish Granger, Josh's aunt, said.

"We are not just crying for our family. We cry for theirs too."

Mr Moore's friend, Reece, said he was a reliable mate.

"Josh was the best, any time of night you could ring him, he'd come and get you no matter where you were," he said.

His sister Bianca added: "He was always there for me no matter what."

Mr Moore had been heading to his mate Adam Leigh's home, but he never made it.

Tributes have also continued to flow for Senior Constable Joyce, who is being remembered as a hero also when she was off duty, rescuing a 14-year-old girl with autism from the Murray River.

The girl's father, Dale Barclay, said his daughter was out of her depth.

"It could have been pretty disastrous if Bria wasn't there," he said.

"I think they should be very proud of her, as a person and as a police officer."

It's not known what caused the collision.

A growing number of floral tributes has been left at Mildura Police Station.