A man wanted on suspicion of driving recklessly was attacked by an alligator in a Louisiana swamp but continued running from authorities before he was finally arrested, state police said Monday.
Victor Rivas, 40, of Montz, a community in St. Charles Parish, sustained injuries to his arms during the gator encounter and was treated at a hospital before being booked into the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in Killona on allegations of driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and being a fugitive from adjacent Jefferson Parish, according to Louisiana State Police.
Background
The wild pursuit began Sunday when state police received reports about a car driven recklessly on Interstate 10 in Jefferson Parish, which lies just west of New Orleans. The vehicle, described as a Toyota Supra, struck a concrete barrier and suffered a blowout during the incident, authorities said.
Troopers located the Supra being driven in adjacent St. Charles Parish, also part of the New Orleans metropolitan area, and pulled it over. The driver, identified as Rivas, showed signs of impairment when troopers checked him out for a potential DWI arrest, according to state police allegations. That's when he fled on foot.
Rivas jumped from an elevated portion of Interstate 310 and landed in swampland below, authorities said. He was later spotted walking along Highway 61 but fled again into a swampy area where he encountered the alligator that attacked him.
The Investigation
Despite sustaining injuries to his arms from the gator attack, Rivas continued fleeing through the hazardous terrain. Authorities eventually located and took him into custody with assistance from drone technology deployed by state police, according to the statement.
Rivas also had active warrants from Jefferson Parish authorities on allegations of hit and run and careless driving, state police said. He was being held with bond set at $17,500 as of Monday afternoon, according to jail records.
It remains unclear whether Rivas has retained legal counsel. The public defender for St. Charles Parish did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News.
Key Takeaways
- Victor Rivas, 40, of Montz, was arrested after a chaotic pursuit involving an alligator attack in Louisiana swampland
- He faces allegations of DWI, resisting arrest and being a fugitive from Jefferson Parish
- Active warrants also exist on allegations of hit and run and careless driving from Jefferson Parish authorities
- Authorities used drone technology to ultimately locate and apprehend Rivas despite his injuries
What's Next
Rivas remains in custody at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center awaiting further court proceedings. His next scheduled court appearance has not yet been publicly announced by St. Charles Parish authorities.