March 27, 2025
HAZEN, Ark. — Torkilo Hambrick, 30, of Memphis, has been charged with First-Degree Murder, Felony Fleeing, Possession of a Firearm by Certain Persons and two counts of Second-Degree Battery in the Tuesday death of a 29-year-old Memphis woman following a high-speed pursuit on Interstate 40. Additional charges are expected.
Laterrika Woods, 29, of Memphis, was a passenger in Hambrick’s vehicle and died as a result of injuries she sustained when she was ejected. Another passenger, Latarica Walker, 26, of Memphis, was ejected and airlifted to Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, where she remains in critical condition.
On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at about 6:30 p.m., an Arkansas State Police (ASP) Trooper observed a white Dodge Ram pickup truck committing a traffic violation near the Interstate 40 173-mile marker in Lonoke County. After initiating a traffic stop, the vehicle fled, leading to an eastbound pursuit that covered 18 miles.
The suspect endangered the lives of other motorists by exceeding 120 mph and passing vehicles on the right shoulder. A Trooper executed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) on the suspect vehicle near the 191-mile marker near Hazen in Prairie County, causing the truck to overturn and come to rest in a ditch beside the interstate.
“This senseless death and suffering could have been easily avoided,” said ASP Col. Mike Hagar.
Hambrick and passenger Zuri Jones, 45, both from Memphis, were transported to UAMS and are currently in stable condition.
During the investigation, Troopers discovered two firearms, an unknown amount of U.S. currency, a bottle of promethazine, marijuana, and narcotics in the vehicle. Hambrick was found to have an outstanding extradition warrant from Shelby County, Tennessee, for probation violation. Hambrick is a registered sex offender.
The incident is under investigation by ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division.