A 40-year-old man was attacked by an alligator after trying to make a clean get-away. As they say, out of the frying pan and into the fire. In this case, out of the roadway and into the swamp. A Louisiana man was trying to flee from a DWI arrest and Louisiana State Police.
He found an alligator instead. State Troopers responded to reports of a Toyota Supra driving wildly on Interstate 10. That's when they tried to stop Victor M. Rivas, according to a press release. The Louisiana man wasn't intending to go to jail despite suffering a tire blowout and striking a concrete barrier.
According to police, they observed signs that Rivas was impaired. He then fled from state troopers on foot. Ultimately, Rivas jumped over a barrier separating the interstate from a nearby swamp. State troopers managed to track down his general location. Upon seeing the police, he ran back into the swamp.
"When law enforcement approached, he fled again into a swampy area, where he was attacked by an alligator and sustained injuries to both arms," the press release alleges. "Despite his injuries, Rivas continued fleeing before being located and apprehended with the assistance of drone technology."
Alligator Attacks Man
Fortunately, bad decisions didn't lead to any deaths. Police managed to arrest Rivas and take him to a local hospital for treatment. he did not suffere life-threatening injuries. Likewise, the alligator wasn't harmed in this case either.
But the Louisiana man has a legal battle ahead. Police charged him with operating a vehicle while impaired and resisting an officer among other charges.
"Impaired driving can lead to serious and unpredictable consequences. Motorists are urged to make responsible decisions, plan ahead, and always designate a sober driver," the press release states. "Louisiana State Police appreciates the strong partnership and coordinated efforts of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office in bringing this incident to a successful resolution."
