Viral dashcam footage shows a tractor-trailer traveling against traffic on Highway 61 near St. Louis, sparking state and federal safety investigations.
ST. LOUIS, MO – A shocking video circulating on social media shows a tractor-trailer driving the wrong way on Highway 61 in Missouri, narrowly missing several vehicles in a dangerous high-speed encounter that has drawn the attention of state transportation officials and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Additional videos of the incident can be found on X.
Key Points
- A truck driver was filmed traveling the wrong way on Highway 61 in Missouri.
- The 18-wheeler, registered to Cargo Transportation LLC of Hopkins, Minnesota, nearly caused multiple head-on crashes.
- Missouri State Highway Patrol and FMCSA are investigating possible violations and licensing issues.
The footage, captured by a motorist identified online as @BtcLabe, shows an 18-wheeler barreling northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 61. Drivers swerved onto the shoulder to avoid impact as the semi continued several miles before reportedly pulling over near Troy, Missouri.
Investigators identify trucking company
Online sleuths quickly linked the truck to Cargo Transportation LLC, a Minnesota-based company reportedly operating from a residential address in Hopkins. U.S. Department of Transportation records show the carrier is registered under DOT number 4083603 and operates a small fleet of commercial vehicles. Federal officials are reviewing the company’s compliance history and safety record.
Safety officials call incident “extremely dangerous”
A spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Transportation called the incident “a clear violation of federal safety standards” and emphasized the risks posed by fatigued or unqualified drivers. “Wrong-way incidents at highway speeds often end in fatalities,” the spokesperson said. “It’s fortunate that no one was killed.”
The driver’s identity and citizenship status have not yet been publicly released. The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed that the driver was detained for questioning and that toxicology testing and logbook reviews are underway.
The viral video, viewed more than a million times within 24 hours, has fueled debate over driver vetting and enforcement of commercial trucking regulations nationwide.
Tags: Missouri, truck crash, Highway 61
