Mother Dies in E-Bike Hit-and-Run, Murder Investigation Launched

Police have identified a mother who died after being struck off an e-bike in a hit-and-run incident. Alana Armstrong, aged 25, was a passenger on one of two e-bikes that a 4×4 vehicle pursued in Pleasley, Derbyshire, on Tuesday evening. The rider, a man in his 20s, sustained injuries that necessitated the amputation of one of his legs below the knee after being transported to a hospital. This occurred after their e-bike was hit by the dark-coloured vehicle on a country lane. Derbyshire Police have initiated a murder inquiry. A man and a woman who had been arrested earlier in connection with the event have since been released without charge. The police force has issued a photograph of a woman they “urgently” wish to interview regarding Ms Armstrong’s fatality. Officers conveyed that their sympathies were with the family of Ms Armstrong, who resided in Tibshelf, Derbyshire, following the collision, which took place in Batley Lane around 20:00 GMT. Ch Supt Dave Kirby stated, “Alana was just 25 – and a mum to a six-year-old boy.” He added, “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.” Authorities indicated that the vehicle that struck the e-bike had pursued the bikes through the village of Pleasley. Its last confirmed sighting was in Rowthorne Lane, where it made a right turn onto the A617 in the direction of New Houghton. The force further reported that a man was operating the vehicle, with a woman occupying the passenger seat. Officers are appealing for information from individuals who may have observed a Land Rover Discovery, believed to have been produced between 2004 and 2009, within the vicinity of Pleasley around the time of the collision. The police stated that the woman they wish to interview was photographed outside The White Swan in Meden Square, Pleasley, just prior to 20:00 on Tuesday. She is thought to possess “vital information” concerning the incident, according to the authorities. Ch Supt Kirby commented, “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.” He continued, “However, I know that there is more information out there – and there are people who know who the person responsible is.” He urged, “If you were the driver of the vehicle, come forward and talk to us. We’ll be coming to speak to you at some point… tell us what happened.” Ch Supt Kirby concluded, “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.” When questioned about whether the occupants of the vehicle were acquainted with Ms Armstrong, Ch Supt Kirby responded that the investigation remained in its preliminary phases and detectives were “keeping an open mind.”