Charges Filed Against Minnesota Truck Driver Who Drove Wrong-Way on Missouri Highway 61 at High Speed; Driver Couldn't Read Road Signs
LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI — A Minnesota truck driver is facing criminal charges after being filmed driving the wrong way on a Missouri highway at an alarming rate of speed, with a no-bond arrest warrant requested following a multi-agency investigation.

On February 25, 2026, Abdiasis Ibrahim Ali of Minnesota was observed driving a white tractor-trailer southbound on Highway 61 while traveling in the northbound lanes. A citizen who was nearly struck by the vehicle immediately contacted law enforcement, and Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers quickly responded and stopped the truck.
During the traffic stop, troopers determined that Ali was unable to speak proficient English, a finding made after he failed a Highway Traffic Sign Assessment. Ali was placed out of service. His co-driver, Abdulahi Abshir Alim, who had been in the sleeper berth at the time of the incident, took over the vehicle. Both the CDL licenses of those involved and the company they were driving for are based out of Minnesota.

Video of the incident was shared widely on social media, capturing national attention. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared the footage, stating that the driver "couldn't read basic road signs" and had been placed out of service by Missouri law enforcement.
On February 26, Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wood issued a statement confirming that Ali has been charged with driving the wrong direction on a divided highway and operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner. A no-bond warrant for Ali's arrest has been requested. The U.S. Department of Transportation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have both been notified, and the investigation remains ongoing.
"I'd like to thank the Troopers who were quick to respond to help ensure the safety of our roadways and to the citizen who stopped to provide information and video evidence of this incident to law enforcement," Prosecuting Attorney Wood said.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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