Memphis woman killed, another injured in AR crash after highspeed chase on I40
Mar 26, 2025
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A Memphis woman died in a crash Tuesday after a high-speed chase eastbound on I-40 in Arkansas, state police said.
Police say an Arkansas State Police trooper saw a white Dodge Ram pickup truck committing a traffic violation near I-40 at the 173-mile marker in Lonoke County.
ASP says after a traffic stop was initiated, the driver fled, starting an 18-mile pursuit. Police say the driver was driving on the right shoulder going over 120 mph.
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According to police, a trooper executed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) on the suspect's vehicle near the 191-mile marker near Hazen in Prairie County, causing the truck to overturn and stop in a ditch beside the interstate.
Laterrika Woods, 29, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
Another passenger, Latarica Walker, 26, of Memphis, was ejected and airlifted to Baptist Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition.
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The driver, Torkilo Hambrick, 30, and passenger Zuri Jones, 45, both from Memphis, were transported to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and are currently in stable condition.
Charges are pending against Hambrick in Woods' death.
During the investigation, troopers found two firearms, an unknown amount of money, a bottle of promethazine, marijuana, and narcotics in the vehicle.
Police say Hambrick was found to have an outstanding extradition warrant from Shelby County, Tennessee, for probation violation. Hambrick is a registered sex offender.
According to the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, Hambrick has had charges since 2012 of domestic assault, aggravated assault, driving while license suspended revoked canceled, unlawful possession of a weapon, aggravated robbery, and possession of controlled substance.
"This tragedy is a direct result of the suspect’s reckless, selfish actions. This is another example of what can happen when a suspect flees from law enforcement,” said ASP Col. Mike Hagar. “Fleeing suspects are terrorizing and traumatizing our communities. Our Troopers will not and cannot look the other way.”
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Police say that Woods' body will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the cause and manner of death. This is an ongoing investigation.
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