Tragedy struck the Memphis music community when Laterrika Woods, the 29-year-old sister of rapper Big Boogie, lost her life following a high-speed police pursuit in Arkansas. The incident occurred on Tuesday when the Arkansas State Police (ASP) attempted to pull over a vehicle Woods was traveling in due to a traffic infraction.
According to an official statement from the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, officers initiated a stop for a white Dodge Ram pickup truck near the 173-mile mark on Interstate 40, situated within Lonoke County. However, the driver chose to evade law enforcement, prompting the ASP to engage in a high-speed chase.
During the pursuit, the pickup accelerated dangerously, reaching speeds of over 120 mph and weaving through traffic. To bring the vehicle to a halt, an ASP trooper executed the Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT), effectively maneuvering their police cruiser alongside the vehicle and colliding with it sideways. The chase ended tragically when the suspect’s truck flipped over near the 191-mile marker, close to Hazen, Arkansas, throwing Woods from her seat.
The Dodge Ram ultimately crashed into a nearby ditch, where Laterrika Woods was pronounced dead at the scene. Col. Mike Hagar, Director of the ASP, commented on the heartbreaking incident:
“This tragedy is a direct result of the suspect’s reckless, selfish actions. This is another example of what can happen when a suspect flees from law enforcement.”
“Fleeing suspects are terrorizing and traumatizing our communities. Our Troopers will not and cannot look the other way.”
Big Boogie expresses grief as other victims are injured in the incident
In the wake of this devastating news, Big Boogie took to Instagram to share his grief, posting a heartfelt carousel of images on Wednesday. The sorrowful rapper expressed his feelings with the message:
“I Love You Sister Tears Tears Tears @_dadonwoo.”
In an additional message, he noted:
“I’m Logging Off Today”
Boogie captured the essence of his pain in a subsequent post, stating:
“Never In A Million Years …. I’m Empty”
Through his Instagram stories, he mourned Laterrika’s loss further by writing:
“4L With Us I Promise/ So Sorry This Happened To You/ You Never Played Bout Me”
In another post, he expressed the sentiment that no amount of money could ease his sorrow.
The driver of the pickup truck, 30-year-old Torkilo Hambrick, faced immediate legal repercussions, as did 45-year-old Zuri Jones, another passenger who was taken to UAMS Medical Center. A third passenger, 26-year-old Latarica Walker, who was ejected during the crash, was airlifted to Baptist Medical Center and is currently in critical condition, while the other two passengers remain stable.
The ASP later recovered various items from the vehicle, including marijuana, narcotics, promethazine, two firearms, and cash. Torkilo Hambrick, known as Fly Guy Kizzle, is now facing charges related to the death of Laterrika Woods and has an extensive criminal history. This record includes multiple charges, among them firearm possession, incest, and aggravated assault, alongside a registration as a sex offender in Tennessee.