Arkansas – Tennessee man, 30-year-old TorkiIo Hambrick, has been charged with first-degree murder, felony fleeing, possession of a firearm by certain persons, and two counts of second-degree battery following a high-speed police pursuit that resulted in the death of a 29-year-old woman on Interstate 40. Authorities have indicated that additional charges may be filed.
The 29-year-old victim, Laterika Woods, also from Tennessee, was a passenger in Hambrick’s vehicle. She was ejected from the truck during the crash and died from her injuries. Another passenger, Latarica Walker, 26, was also ejected and remains in critical condition at Baptist Medical Center after being airlifted from the scene.
The incident occurred on March 25, 2025, around 6:30 p.m., when an Arkansas State Police (ASP) trooper attempted to pull over a white Dodge Ram pickup near the 173-mile marker on Interstate 40 in Lonoke County for a traffic violation. Hambrick failed to stop, leading officers on an 18-mile pursuit eastbound, during which he reached speeds over 120 mph and passed vehicles on the right shoulder.
A trooper performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) near the 191-mile marker in Prairie County, causing the suspect’s truck to overturn and come to rest in a ditch.
“This senseless death and suffering could have been easily avoided,” ASP Col. Mike Hagar said in a statement.
Hambrick and another passenger, Zuri Jones, 45, were transported to UAMS, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
Investigators searching the vehicle discovered two firearms, narcotics, marijuana, a bottle of promethazine, and an unspecified amount of U.S. currency. Authorities also determined that Hambrick had an outstanding extradition warrant from Shelby County, Tennessee, for a probation violation. He is a registered sex offender.
The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division is continuing to investigate the incident.