The community is mourning the loss of Laterrika Woods, a 29-year-old mother from Memphis, who tragically died in a crash during a high-speed chase in Arkansas. Woods was a passenger in a truck driven by Torkilo Hambrick, who has been charged with first-degree murder following the incident. The pursuit, which allegedly reached speeds of 120 mph, ended when an Arkansas State Police trooper deployed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver that caused the truck to flip, resulting in Woods being ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.
Her mother, Khadijah Tucker, expressed her heartbreak over the loss, recalling a distressing phone call from her daughter in which she pleaded for the driver to stop. Tucker criticized law enforcement for their response during the chase and called for justice for her daughter’s death while also establishing a GoFundMe to support her grandson, who is now without his mother.
“This tragedy is a direct result of the suspect’s reckless, selfish actions,” remarked ASP Colonel Mike Hagar. The high-speed pursuit began after an Arkansas State Police trooper observed a traffic violation near the 173-mile marker in Lonoke County. The vehicle fled at dangerously high speeds, endangering other motorists before the pursuit concluded 18 miles later.
Woods was not the only passenger affected by the heartbreaking incident. Latarica Walker, another passenger, was also ejected from the vehicle and is currently in critical condition, while driver Torkilo Hambrick and third passenger Zuri Jones were taken to a local hospital and are in stable condition.
As the community reflects on this devastating loss, friends and family are coming together to honor Woods’s memory. Plans for a memorial and continued support for her family are being discussed, and the call for justice resonates strongly among her loved ones. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Woods’s death remains ongoing, with further charges pending against Hambrick as authorities work through the evidence collected during the incident.
The passing of Laterrika Woods serves as a poignant reminder of the tragic consequences that can arise from high-speed pursuits and the critical need for systems that prioritize both community safety and accountability.
