Tributes paid to retired teacher killed in hit-and-run as family make heartfelt plea to public

Joan Hill, from Rugeley, died following the collision on the A5, near the Longford island, on Sunday, after the red Peugeot she was travelling in was hit by a blue Ford Kuga.

The occupants of the Kuga then climbed into a nearby red Ford Focus and made off from the scene.

Paying tribute to 73-year-old Joan, her family said in a statement: “Joan’s life was cruelly taken from her by a hit-and-run driver on New Year’s Day.

“A retired primary school teacher, with a very active life, Joan will be sadly missed by her devoted husband Terry, her loving son Matt, her grandchildren, brother, wider family and friends.

“As a family, we would like to personally request that anyone with information on what happened should come forward and report it to the police.”

Staffordshire Police say the Ford Focus was reported stolen from the Tipton area at the end of December and had been linked to a recent business burglary and attempted thefts.

Prior to the collision on the A5, an unmarked police car became aware of a suspicious Ford Focus and followed it.

A Ford Kuga, stolen from Telford earlier the same day, then overtook the Focus and in doing so, the Kuga collided with the victim’s car.

Two male offenders then jumped out of the Kuga and into the Focus, before making off from the scene.

Officers pursued the Focus until the A462 Warstone Road in Shareshill, where the vehicle successfully made off, police said.

The Focus has since been found burned-out in the Walsall area.

Detective Inspector, Ian Pickstock, who is leading the investigation at Staffordshire Police, said: “This was a horrendous collision involving individuals we already suspected of being involved in criminality, acting unlawfully on our roads.

“It is tragic that Joan lost her life in such circumstances and our thoughts and sympathies remain with her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

“I understand the community is concerned about what happened and we are doing all we can to identify those responsible.

“Please come forward to us if you have any relevant information or CCTV or dashcam footage that could help us bring justice to Joan and her loved ones.”

Officers are also reminding the public not to speculate as to the circumstances of the crash on social media while the investigation takes place.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to recent police contact with the stolen vehicles.

Anyone with information should contact us on 101, quoting incident number 558 of January 1.

Alternatively, information can be shared directly to investigators via mipp.police.uk/operation/STAFFS23K02-PO1 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.