RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER
20:39 26 Feb 2026, updated 21:48 26 Feb 2026
Incident Summary
A Somali truck driver with a Minnesota license was reported to have driven the wrong way on a highway due to an inability to read road signs, authorities state.
Traffic Footage
Disturbing footage circulating on social media depicted the truck traveling against the flow of traffic on US 61 near Troy, Missouri, early Wednesday morning, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Near Misses and Police Intervention
The truck nearly collided with multiple vehicles before crossing the median onto the correct side of the road, where police eventually stopped it.
Driver’s Background
The unidentified driver held a commercial driver’s license issued in Minnesota, as reported by NewsNation. Authorities indicated that the driver did not exhibit signs of impairment or medical issues and was primarily unaware of the road signs.
Official Response
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy referred to the incident as ‘disturbing’ in a post on X, emphasizing the severity of a driver unable to read basic road signs operating an 80-ton vehicle for miles in the wrong direction.
Investigation and Safety Measures
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is probing the trucking company, Cargo Transportation LLC, and Duffy asserted the commitment to ensuring safer roads for families. The driver received a citation for the infraction and was removed from service but was not arrested.
CDL Requirements and Historical Context
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is awaiting the FMCSA investigation results, confirming that all CDL applicants must take testing in English. English proficiency requirements for truck drivers have existed since 1937, yet enforcement has intensified recently, with thousands of licenses revoked for failing English tests.
