An incident on Tuesday involving the Arkansas State Police led to a fatal crash on Interstate 40 in Prairie County. The chase began in Lonoke County during a traffic stop and continued for 18 miles at speeds up to 120 miles per hour. The trooper performed a PIT maneuver, or a TVI as it’s now called by the state police, which ultimately resulted in a crash that threw two passengers from the vehicle.
One passenger, Laterrika Woods, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene, while another passenger, Latarica Walker, 26, was airlifted to Baptist Medical Center in critical condition. The driver, Torkilo Hambrick, 30, and another passenger, Zuri Jones, 45, were hospitalized in stable condition. Hambrick will be charged in Woods’ death and also has an outstanding warrant from Shelby County, Tennessee, for a probation violation and is a registered sex offender. The state police have been increasingly utilizing PIT maneuvers as a way to stop fleeing suspects.
Arkansas State Police Director Mike Hagar has emphasized that the responsibility for these tragic incidents lies with the suspects who are fleeing from law enforcement, not with the officers carrying out the maneuvers. In 2024, state troopers engaged in 553 pursuits, resulting in the deaths of three suspects and three civilians. Hagar made it clear during a press conference that they will not overlook or ignore individuals who attempt to evade the authorities. Videos have been released by the state police to emphasize the seriousness of their pursuit efforts.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
