A police chase in Louisiana took a dramatic turn on Sunday when a fleeing driver, 40-year-old Victor Rivas of Montz, jumped off an elevated highway into a swamp, only to be attacked by an alligator. The incident began when Louisiana State Police troopers responded to complaints of a Toyota Supra driving erratically on Interstate 10 near Bonnabel Boulevard in Jefferson Parish.

Chase and Arrest

Troopers eventually caught up with the damaged vehicle as it traveled south on Interstate 310 in St. Charles Parish. They pulled the car over and identified the driver as Rivas, who showed clear signs of impairment. During the DWI investigation, Rivas took off running, vaulting off the edge of the elevated interstate and plummeting into the swamplands below.

A joint manhunt between state troopers and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office ensued. Deputies later spotted Rivas walking on foot along U.S. Highway 61. As officers closed in, he bolted back into the marshy terrain, where he crossed paths with the alligator. The animal attacked Rivas, injuring both of his arms. Despite the bite wounds, Rivas managed to get away from the reptile and continued running from the police.

Law enforcement deployed a drone to track Rivas’ movements from the sky, finally allowing officers to locate and safely apprehend him. First responders transported Rivas to a local hospital to be treated for the alligator bites. He is now being charged with DWI and resisting an officer, along with active warrants for hit-and-run and careless operation tied to his initial crash into the highway barrier.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.