Big Boogie is going through one of the most challenging moments in his life. He took to social media recently to post a tearful video, sobbing uncontrollably after learning about his sister’s tragic death. Laterrika Woods was 29 when she passed away in a gruesome car crash after a high-speed police chase in Arkansas on March 25, 2025.
The tragic news has shocked Big Boogie and his family and touched the hearts of fans nationwide. It also reopened discussion about police pursuit policies and how they can become fatal.
It started when Arkansas State Police tried to pull over a white Dodge Ram pickup truck for a traffic violation. The driver, 30-year-old Torkilo Hambrick, refused to stop. Instead, he took off at more than 120 miles per hour, and police pursued him on an 18-mile chase down Interstate 40.
Police reports said that Hambrick was also driving recklessly, passing cars on the shoulder, and putting innocent citizens at risk. Therefore, in Hazen, Arkansas, officers ended the chase with a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (PIT maneuver) technique. This caused the truck to flip and end up in a ditch.
Laterrika Woods, one of the passengers in the truck, was thrown from the vehicle in the crash. Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, 26-year-old Latarica Walker, was also thrown from the truck and was hospitalized in critical condition. Social media reports say she lost an arm during the crash, but police have not put that out as an official detail. Two other passengers, including Hambrick, were also injured but are now in stable condition.
For Big Boogie, born John Lotts, this is more than a news headline—it is personal. He took to Instagram soon after the crash, where he shared emotional posts and pictures of his sister. His posts were emotional and raw, with shock and devastation.
“I Love You Sister Tears Tears Tears ,”
Wrote the rapper in one post
In a subsequent post, Big Boogie expressed his disbelief, writing,
“Never In A Million Years …. I’m Empty”.
On Wednesday, he posted a video wherein he couldn’t help but cry. In the video, Boogie spoke candidly about the pain he’s going through. He spoke from his heart, explaining how no fame or money could replace the emptiness in his heart. His followers filled his comments with prayers and love, informing him he wasn’t alone in his grief.
Big Boogie is known for incorporating real-life emotions into his music. Whether the topic is struggle, family, or heartbreak, his lyrics hit hard because they come from a real place.
In the wake of this tragedy, he has promised fans that he will do what he does best — make music that speaks to the soul. He said he wanted to honor his sister by still giving his fans meaningful, strong lyrics. Boogie believes his sister would not want him to give up. He will take the pain and make it into music to help people through the tough times.
“This ain’t just music, It’s my therapy. I know my sister is watching over me, and I want to make her proud.”
Boogie said in a message.
This tragic incident has also reignited debates about police chase tactics in Arkansas. The PIT maneuver used to stop the chase has been questioned before. Critics argue that these moves are too dangerous and can lead to unnecessary deaths, especially when passengers like Laterrika have no control over the driver’s decisions.
Arkansas State Police defended their actions, saying the driver was dangerous to everyone on the road. They found illegal items in the truck after the crash, including guns, drugs, and cash. Hambrick, the driver, is now facing serious charges and has a lengthy criminal history, including being a registered sex offender.
Still, many people ask if there was a safer way to handle the chase without it ending in tragedy.
Since the crash, social media has been filled with tributes to Laterrika Woods. Fans, friends, and family members are sharing memories of her, describing her as a loving sister and caring mother.
