A Houston woman known as the “Sassy Trucker” has finally been able to leave the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after being stranded in Dubai for several months due to an altercation at a car rental agency. Tierra Young Allen, 29, departed from Dubai on Tuesday and will transit through the United Kingdom before returning to the US. Radha Stirling, who runs the advocacy group Detained in Dubai, confirmed Allen’s departure and revealed that she had to pay a $1,360 deposit to Dubai police to clear the travel ban she faced.
It is still unclear whether Allen has any ongoing legal complaints against her in the UAE. The UAE is a federation of seven sheikhdoms located on the Arabian Peninsula. Requests for comment from Dubai officials went unanswered. However, the US State Department acknowledged Allen’s departure but did not disclose whether she still faces legal proceedings in the UAE. The State Department stated its commitment to assisting US citizens abroad and noted that the US Embassy in Dubai provided consistent consular assistance during this case.
The circumstances surrounding the altercation at the car rental agency back in April remain ambiguous. Allen had been involved in a car crash while driving a rental car. Stirling previously mentioned that Allen might face charges for “shouting” at an employee of the rental car agency, but there were no further details about what was said during the incident. Stirling also accused the car rental agency employee of raising his voice at Allen and following her in a threatening manner.
Dubai police, on the other hand, contradicted Stirling’s account of the altercation. They received a complaint from the car rental agency, accusing Allen of slandering and defaming an employee during a dispute over car rental fees. It is essential to note that the UAE has strict regulations governing speech, which can lead to criminal cases for actions that might be considered harmless in Western nations. Even gestures like raising a middle finger during a traffic dispute or using offensive language in public can have severe consequences, as many foreign tourists may not realize until it is too late.
Under Emirati law, publicly insulting another person can result in a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of $5,450. Disputes over rental car agency fees have also previously trapped other foreign tourists in Dubai. It highlights the importance of understanding local laws and customs before visiting or residing in a new country. The case of Tierra Young Allen serves as a reminder that even an altercation during a car rental can lead to unexpected and challenging circumstances for individuals abroad.