Police have named a young mother killed in a hit-and-run when a 4x4 driver rammed her off the back of an e-bike.
A murder investigation has been launched following Alana Armstrong’s death in the village of Pleasley, on the border of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire on Tuesday evening.
Ms Armstrong, 25, a mother-of-one from Tibshelf, Derbyshire, was riding pillion on one of two e-bikes that were being followed by a dark-coloured 4x4, believed to be a Land Rover Discovery.
The 4x4 collided with one of the e-bikes causing the driver and Ms Armstrong to fall off. The vehicle then drove off from the scene without stopping.
Ms Armstrong was pronounced dead at the scene.
The rider of the bike, a man in his 20s, was taken to hospital and has since had to have a leg amputated below the knee.
Police want to speak to anyone who saw a dark-coloured Land Rover Discovery, believed to be manufactured between 2004 and 2009, in and around the Pleasley area prior to 8pm on Tuesday (November 26).
The vehicle was last seen on Rowthorne Lane where it turned right onto the A617 towards New Houghton.
Two people, a man and a woman both in their 30s from the Skegby area of Nottinghamshire, who were arrested in connection with the incident have been released without charge and have been ruled out of our investigation.
Chief Superintendent Dave Kirby, said: “Alana was just 25 – and a mum to a six-year-old boy.
“Her little boy, along with her wider family, will never get the chance to see her again, hug her again, spend Christmas together, or celebrate all those milestones.
“My thoughts, as well as those of the whole force and community, are with them at this time.
“The Land Rover Discovery that rammed the e-bike had pursued two bikes through the village – and drove off up Batley Lane – onto Rowthorne Lane – and the last known sighting of it was at this junction, turning right onto the A617 towards New Houghton.
“Since Tuesday a team of detectives have been working non-stop, searching the site where Alana was killed, conducting house-to-house enquiries, and scouring CCTV in the area.
“Two people who were arrested in connection with the incident have now been released without charge – and have been discounted from our investigation.
“We have already received a significant amount of information from the public and I want to thank everyone who has come forward already to help our investigation.
“However, I know that there is more information out – and there are people who know who the person responsible is.
“Specifically, we know that there were two people in the Land Rover Discovery, that was manufactured between 2004 and 2009, that night – a man driving the vehicle and woman in the passenger seat.
“We urgently want to hear from anyone who may know those two people, who has seen a Land Rover Discovery that may have damage to its front end – or who knows of a vehicle matching that description that may have been recently repaired or had parts replaced.
“We also really want to speak to anyone who may have CCTV – in particular along the A617 from this junction heading towards New Houghton.
“Finally – I want to return to Alana.
“As an officer, as a member of the local community, and as a father, I am devastated for her little boy, her family, and her friends and we will do all we can to find those responsible.”
Anyone with information can Derbyshire Constabulary citing the reference 24*705090. You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.
