ST. CHARLES PARISH, La. (WKRC) — A man was hospitalized after fleeing a DWI stop and jumping into a swamp where he was attacked by an alligator.
According to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office and the Louisiana State Police, state troopers attempted to stop 40-year-old Victor Rivas on June 7 on Interstate 310 after observing him driving recklessly and striking a concrete barrier, which resulted in a blown-out tire.
Authorities said Rivas attempted to evade arrest during a DWI investigation by fleeing on foot and jumping from the elevated highway into the swamp below. After escaping into the water, he was attacked by an alligator, sustaining injuries to both arms.
Witnesses reported that Rivas continued to flee from law enforcement until he was located by a drone and apprehended. He was subsequently hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries and later arrested.
Rivas faces charges for operating a vehicle while impaired and resisting an officer. The alligator involved in the incident was unharmed and has returned to its habitat, authorities noted.