A quiet Tuesday morning turned tragic when a speeding motorcycle struck and killed 72-year-old Benter Toe, affectionately known as “Old Ma Benter,” while leaving two others fighting for their lives. The accident, which occurred on the road between Tubman Farm and Boniken Township, has left the community in mourning and reignited concerns over road safety.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying moment when the motorcycle, reportedly coming from River Gee, lost control and plowed into Benter. The impact was so severe that it broke both her legs in multiple places. Despite rushed efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead upon arrival at Pleebo Health Center.
Benter was a well-known figure in the community, a resilient woman who earned a living by selling crushed rocks at a local quarry. Her income supported not only herself but also her 9-year-old grandson, for whom she was the sole provider. At the time of the accident, the boy was in school, unaware that his guardian would never return home.
“She was a hardworking woman, always up early to make sure she could provide for that child,” said a neighbor, fighting back tears. “Now, who will take care of him?”
The motorcycle operator, Elton W. Yeaney, a teacher from Tappita, Nimba County, and his passenger, Princess Miamen from Ganta, sustained severe injuries in the crash. Both were rushed to Pleebo Health Center, where medical staff are considering transferring them to JJ Dossen Referral Hospital in Harper due to the seriousness of their condition.
As the community grapples with the shock, Boniken Township Commissioner Jasper Bilibi has temporarily received Benter’s remains while awaiting the arrival of family members.
The Liberia National Police Traffic Division in Karluway District has impounded the motorcycle as investigations continue. Meanwhile, the tragedy has sparked urgent calls for improved road safety, particularly along the Tubman Farm-Boniken route, where many schoolchildren walk daily.
“This road has become dangerous,” said one resident. “We need speed controls, better signs, something to prevent another family from suffering like this.”
For now, the community mourns a beloved elder while praying for the recovery of the injured. But as questions linger about reckless driving and road conditions, many fear that without action, this tragedy may not be the last.
