Laterrika Woods Death and Obituary – A devastating incident occurred on Tuesday in Hazen, Arkansas, when 29-year-old Laterrika Woods, the sister of Memphis rapper Big Boogie, was killed in a crash following a high-speed chase with Arkansas State Police (ASP). The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, as it highlights the tragic consequences of reckless driving and fleeing from law enforcement.
According to the Arkansas State Police, the chain of events leading to Woods’ death began when a trooper noticed a Dodge Ram pickup truck committing a traffic violation near the I-40 173-mile marker in Lonoke County. The trooper attempted to pull over the truck, but the driver, later identified as 30-year-old Torkilo Hambrick, refused to stop and instead sped off. This sparked a police pursuit that lasted for 18 miles, reaching speeds of over 120 miles per hour.
As Hambrick’s truck swerved recklessly on the road, passing other vehicles on the right shoulder of the interstate, law enforcement decided to employ a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI), commonly known as a PIT maneuver. The PIT maneuver involves a police vehicle making contact with a fleeing vehicle to force it off the road, and in this case, the maneuver successfully pushed the truck into a ditch. However, the crash had tragic consequences for Woods, who was ejected from the truck and killed instantly.
The Arkansas State Police immediately blamed Hambrick’s reckless actions for the death of Woods. Colonel Mike Hager, spokesperson for the ASP, expressed the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing the risks posed by suspects who flee from law enforcement. “This tragedy is a direct result of the suspect’s reckless, selfish actions,” Hager said. “Fleeing suspects are terrorizing and traumatizing our communities. Our Troopers will not and cannot look the other way.”
Big Boogie, whose real name is John Lotts, shared the heartbreaking news of his sister’s death with his followers on Instagram. Posting emotional pictures of him and Woods, he wrote, “I Love You Sister. Tears. Tears. Tears. I’m Logging Off Today.” His post reflected the deep sorrow and sense of loss felt by the rapper and his family.
State police later revealed that Torkilo Hambrick was facing charges related to Woods’ death, though as of Wednesday afternoon, those charges were still pending. In addition to the fatal crash, Hambrick has a concerning criminal history. He is a registered sex offender with active warrants out of Shelby County, Tennessee, for probation violations. At the time of the crash, Hambrick and another passenger were injured but remained in stable condition. Hambrick was later released from the hospital and taken into custody.
A second woman, a 26-year-old from Memphis, was also ejected from the truck during the crash. She was airlifted to Baptist Medical Center in critical condition. In a further disturbing turn, officers discovered drugs, weapons, and money inside the truck, including two firearms, a bottle of promethazine, marijuana, and other drugs. This discovery adds to the complexity of the case and paints a troubling picture of the events surrounding the crash.
The death of Laterrika Woods serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with fleeing from police, and the deep impact such reckless actions can have on innocent lives. It also highlights the ongoing issues law enforcement faces when suspects choose to evade capture, endangering not only themselves but also the public.