An alligator attack involving a man who was attempting to evade authorities
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St. Charles Parish, LA - A Louisiana man fleeing police during a traffic stop faced an alligator before continuing to run from authorities. He was, eventually, arrested, according to local officials.
Troopers with the Louisiana State Police stopped Victor Rivas, 40, while he was driving on Interstate 310. Mr. Rivas showed “signs of impairment,” state police said on Monday in a release on social media.
Then, Mr. Rivas fled on foot into a nearby swamp.
That triggered a search for Mr. Rivas, who authorities said fled again into another swampy area after he was spotted walking on another highway.
Soon, Mr. Rivas had a different problem. He was attacked by an alligator, the authorities said.
“An alligator joined the law enforcement team and tried to convince Rivas that surrendering was the better option,” the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office said.
Body-camera footage released by the Sheriff’s Office appeared to show a hand pointing a gun at splashes in a grassy stretch of water.
Even after his encounter with the alligator, Mr. Rivas continued to run, according to the sheriff’s office. A drone team eventually located Mr. Rivas, and deputies took him into custody as he was leaving the swamp. He was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, and booked on Sunday at a correctional center on charges of operating a vehicle while impaired and resisting an officer.
Mr. Rivas could not be reached for comment, and it was not known on Tuesday who was legally representing him.