Louisiana authorities say a man fleeing a DWI stop jumped from an elevated interstate and was attacked by an alligator before his arrest

A 40-year-old Louisiana man was attacked by an alligator in a swamp after allegedly fleeing troopers during a DWI investigation on Sunday, according to WWLTV. The suspect, identified as Victor Rivas, allegedly sustained injuries to both arms from the animal and was later apprehended with the help of a police drone.

Louisiana State Police said in a statement that Troop B responded on June 7, 2026, to reports of a Toyota Supra being driven recklessly on Interstate 10 near Bonnabel Boulevard in Jefferson Parish. The vehicle had also allegedly struck a concrete barrier, causing a tire blowout.

Troopers later located the damaged Supra traveling south on Interstate 310 in St. Charles Parish and conducted a traffic stop, state police said. While speaking with Rivas, troopers allegedly observed signs of impairment and began a DWI investigation.

The suspect fled twice into swampy areas before being captured with drone assistance

During the investigation, Rivas allegedly ran from officers and jumped from the elevated portion of Interstate 310 into the swamp below. Troopers and deputies with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office then began searching for him in the area, authorities said.

St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that, a short time later, Rivas was spotted walking along U.S. Highway 61, also known as Airline Highway. When deputies approached to take him into custody, he allegedly fled a second time into another portion of the swamp.

It was during this second flight into the swamp that Rivas was attacked by an alligator, authorities said. He reportedly sustained injuries to both of his arms as a result of the attack. Body camera footage shared by the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office appears to show Rivas swimming toward the edge of the swamp while an alligator followed and eventually attacked him. Alligator encounters with humans are not always rare, as a Florida man who sued after an alligator bit his face argued he was never warned about the animal’s dangerous nature.

Despite the injuries, Rivas allegedly continued trying to evade officers. He was eventually located by the sheriff’s office drone team, whose operators communicated with deputies in the area, state police said. Deputies reportedly apprehended Rivas as he was exiting the swamp.

Rivas was transported to a local hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office. The alligator was not injured in the incident, the sheriff’s office noted, adding that it “has since returned to its regular patrol of the swamp.” Alligators showing up in unexpected human settings have made headlines before, including when one crashed a Florida gender reveal party, sending attendees scrambling.

Once released from the hospital, Rivas was transported to the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center, according to the sheriff’s office. He was reportedly booked on charges of operating a vehicle while impaired, resisting an officer, hit-and-run, and careless operation. The hit-and-run and careless operation charges are connected to the earlier crash in Jefferson Parish, state police said.

“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,” the agency said. State police also used the occasion to urge motorists to make responsible decisions, plan ahead, and always designate a sober driver, noting that impaired driving can lead to serious and unpredictable consequences.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, in its release, described the alligator as having joined the law enforcement effort, saying the animal “tried to convince Rivas that surrendering was the better option.” The office also issued a reminder in its statement: “Don’t drive impaired, don’t run from deputies, and definitely don’t hide in Louisiana swamps. Wildlife may just be cooperating with law enforcement.”