The individual suspected of driving an 18-wheeler against traffic on a Missouri highway has been identified as a Somali immigrant residing in Minnesota. Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wood stated that Abdiasis Ibrahim Ali, 38, was charged with driving the wrong way on a divided highway and for careless vehicle operation. He hasn’t been arrested yet, but prosecutors have sought a non-detention warrant for his apprehension, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been notified.
A video circulating on social media captured a truck moving southbound in a northbound lane on Highway 61. One user, who claimed to have nearly collided with the vehicle, began pursuing the truck and reported the situation to law enforcement, leading to personnel being dispatched to stop it. Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Dallas Thompson mentioned that they are thankful someone alerted them about the driver.
A state trooper stopped the truck and performed a roadside test. During this, the driver was found unable to read or understand road signs. Thompson elaborated, stating the driver was terminated after it was determined he lacked basic reading skills necessary for the job.
Ali’s co-driver, Abdullahi Abushir Alim, reportedly took over after Ali was let go. Interestingly, despite being unable to read road signs, Ali held a Minnesota commercial driver’s license. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy pointed out that Cargo Transportation LLC, the company employing the driver, is currently under investigation. The company’s records suggest it’s based in Hopkins, Minnesota, and has been in operation with two drivers, logging over 81,000 miles this year.
Additionally, the trailer being towed by Ali is owned by Taylor Truck Lines. Their vice president clarified that the driver does not work for them but is a freight contractor, emphasizing that he was dismissed immediately following the incident.
This event follows a recent call from President Donald Trump to pass legislation dubbed “Dalila’s Law,” aimed at preventing states from issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. This proposal was inspired by the severe injuries suffered by a young girl in a previous accident involving another undocumented driver.
The U.S. Department of Transportation indicates that around 200,000 truck drivers hold non-domiciled commercial driver licenses, and in recent years, over 14,000 drivers have been terminated for not meeting language proficiency standards. An English proficiency test is scheduled to be reinstated in May 2025.
