Trucker Arrested After Driving Wrong Way on Highway, Authorities Say

Trucker Arrested After Driving Wrong Way on Highway, Authorities Say

By Staff Reporter

A commercial truck driver was arrested after allegedly driving the wrong way on a major highway, with investigators later determining he had failed a required English proficiency test and was unable to read posted road signs, authorities said.

State police reported that emergency calls began flooding in shortly after midnight when motorists spotted a tractor-trailer traveling against traffic on an interstate corridor. Officers intercepted the vehicle before any collisions were reported.

The trucker was filmed driving in the northbound lanes on Highway 61 near Troy, about 55 miles outside of St. Louis, at 8 a.m. on Wednesday

According to law enforcement, the driver appeared confused when stopped and struggled to understand instructions from responding troopers. A subsequent review of licensing records allegedly revealed he had not met federal English-language proficiency standards required for commercial drivers operating in the United States.

Federal regulations require commercial drivers to be able to read and speak English sufficiently to:

  • Converse with the public

  • Understand highway traffic signs and signals

  • Respond to official inquiries

  • Complete reports and records

Authorities have not released the driver’s name pending formal charges. He may face citations related to reckless driving, improper operation of a commercial vehicle and potential licensing violations.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers discovered that the trucker was behind the wheel despite being unable to identify basic road signs required for a commercial license

Transportation safety experts note that wrong-way driving incidents involving large trucks are rare but can be especially dangerous due to vehicle size and speed.

Officials emphasized that the case remains under investigation, including whether proper credential verification occurred before the driver was cleared to operate commercially.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

Authorities said the driver had a valid commercial driver’s license and exhibited no signs of impairment or medical issues.