Memphis woman dead, 3 others injured after high-speed chase on I-40, ASP says

HAZEN, Ark. -- A high-speed chase on Interstate 40 resulted in the death of a 29-year-old Memphis woman, Laterrika Woods, who sustained fatal injuries in a recent vehicle crash. The incident took place on March 25, 2025, when an Arkansas State Police trooper attempted to pull over a white Dodge Ram pickup truck for a traffic violation near the 173-mile marker in Lonoke County. The driver, however, fled the scene, leading to an 18-mile pursuit at reckless speeds exceeding 120 mph.

Woods was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and was immediately pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, 26-year-old Latarica Walker from Memphis, was also ejected and has since been airlifted to a hospital, where she is in critical condition. The driver of the truck, 30-year-old Torkilo Hambrick, and another passenger, 45-year-old Zuri Jones, sustained injuries but are currently stable after being transported to a medical center.

Authorities are investigating the incident and have stated that charges against Hambrick are pending regarding Woods’s death. During the search of the vehicle, officers discovered two firearms, an undisclosed amount of cash, along with narcotics, including marijuana and promethazine. Hambrick is reported to have an outstanding extradition warrant from Shelby County, Tennessee, related to a probation violation and is identified as a registered sex offender.

The Arkansas State Police has sent Woods’s body to the State Crime Lab for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of her death, while the ongoing investigation aims to uncover further details about the sequence of events that led to the tragic outcome.

As the investigation unfolds, the community is left coping with the loss and the implications of the reckless behavior displayed during the pursuit. The ASP urges all drivers to prioritize safety and adhere to traffic laws to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.