-LNP Confirms in Amelia Chenoweth’s Incident As Liberians Demand Justice
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia – The Liberia National Police (LNP) has confirmed that the driver of a truck that struck a motorcycle in Johnsonville on Tuesday, leaving a university student, Amelia Diamond Chenoweth, with life-altering injuries, is now in police custody.
“The driver of the truck is in police custody,” LNP spokesperson Sam Collins told this newspaper on Thursday. The driver, whose identity has not been publicly released, turned himself to the police after fleeing the scene of the crash. He is currently being held at police headquarters on Capitol Bye Pass as the investigation continues.
“All accident cases are of concern, so that matter is under investigation,” Collins said. When asked about calls from some members of the public to restrict heavy trucks to nighttime operations, Collins declined to comment directly on the proposal.
He did, however, state that the police welcome citizens who wish to peacefully express their grievances to the government regarding the matter. “It is the right of the people to express their opinions when these kinds of things happen or anything that affects them,” he said.
The accident has prompted an outcry from many Liberians, with human rights advocate Titus Pakala taking to social media to demand that the government provide a full accounting of its investigation and hold those responsible accountable.
“We may not give back Amelia’s leg, but we can ensure that justice is served,” Pakala wrote. “Let’s call out the government of Liberia to give us full account of its investigation and hold whoever responsible for inflicting a lifetime of pain on Amelia.”
Pakala urged Liberians to use their social media platforms to demand a comprehensive probe, warning that inaction could embolden reckless drivers.
“If we don’t do so, another Amelia could be hit by a reckless driver Scot-free,” he said. “#Istandwithamelia.”
Victim’s Condition and Family’s Plea
Amelia Diamond Chenoweth, a student at the African Methodist Episcopal University, was being transported by a motorcycle in Johnsonville on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, when the truck reportedly ran into them (she and the rider). The impact caused severe injuries to both of her legs. According to reports, doctors at the John F. Kennedy Medical Hospital were forced to amputate one of her legs a day later due to the severity of the trauma.
The motorcycle operator also sustained serious injuries in the crash, though his current whereabouts remain unknown. As Chenoweth’s family and well-wishers mobilize to cover her medical expenses, they have opened up to extended donations. Her mother’s mobile money account has reached its transaction limit following a SIM card upgrade, complicating efforts to raise funds.
For now, donations may be directed to the following numbers:
📱 0776934636 – Josephine Munyeneh
📱 0886331964 – Aloysious Klon
In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the LNP recorded 478 road traffic crashes nationwide, resulting in 71 deaths and over 300 injuries, with a substantial percentage tied directly to heavy-duty trucks and transport collisions. This follows a devastating 2025 total of 1,564 accidents and 236 fatalities.
Heavy-duty truck accidents represent a severe and growing public safety crisis in Liberia, regularly resulting in major mass-casualty events, severe injuries, and blocked transportation corridors. Road traffic fatalities in Liberia are among the highest globally, heavily exacerbated by oversized commercial vehicles, reckless driving, and lack of vehicle
In May 2026, residents in Kakata staged protests after a container truck forced a motorcycle under its rear tires, killing a pregnant woman and a young driver instantly, capping off multiple truck-related deaths in a single week.Ganta Cement Truck Crash (Nimba County): A flatbed truck transporting hundreds of bags of cement lost control at the CMC Junction on the Ganta-Saclepea Highway, killing three passengers on impact.
According to data compiled by the Liberia National Police (LNP) and road safety advocates, the crisis is driven by specific systemic issues:Mechanical Defects & Missing Safety Gear: Many freight vehicles operate with failing brakes or worn steering. When heavy trucks break down on blind highway bends, drivers rarely use reflective safety triangles to alert oncoming traffic, making them invisible at night.
Commercial truck operators frequently speed to maximize the number of daily trips between rural operational sites and Monrovia ports, completely disregarding smaller tricycles (“kekes”) and motorcycles.
