Driver charged with murder of woman who was fatally ejected on I-40 in high-speed chase

LONOKE CO., Ark. (WMC) - Following a tragic incident resulting in the death of a woman ejected from a vehicle during a high-speed chase in Lonoke County, 30-year-old Torkilo Hambrick from Memphis has been charged with her murder. The Arkansas State Police (ASP) announced the charges, which include first-degree murder, second-degree battery, and other offenses, citing Hambrick's reckless actions as central to the tragedy.

The events unfolded on I-40 when an ASP trooper observed Hambrick's white Dodge Ram pickup committing a traffic violation. Initially pulling over, Hambrick sped off, leading law enforcement on an 18-mile pursuit, reaching speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour. The chase ended when ASP executed a "tactical vehicle intervention," causing the truck to flip into a ditch.

Inside the pickup were four individuals: Hambrick, along with 29-year-old Laterrika Woods, 26-year-old Latarica Walker, and 45-year-old Zuri Jones. The collision resulted in Woods being thrown from the vehicle and ultimately pronounced dead at the scene, while Walker was airlifted to a medical facility in critical condition. Both Hambrick and Jones were also hospitalized, with Jones currently in stable condition.

Authorities discovered firearms, cash, promethazine, marijuana, and narcotics inside the vehicle following the crash. Additionally, Hambrick was found to have an outstanding extradition warrant for probation violations and is a registered sex offender.

Woods' body has been sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the exact cause of death, as the investigation continues regarding the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. The ASP reiterated the dangers posed by high-speed pursuits and their commitment to ensuring public safety.