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Alligator Injures DWI-Fleeing Driver; Drone Leads Arrest

6/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Victor M. Rivas, 40, was injured by an alligator while fleeing a DWI stop in St. Charles Parish, where the animal emerged unharmed.
After Rivas fled in a Toyota Supra on Interstate 10 near Bonnabel Boulevard and jumped into a swamp, a drone located him on Highway 61, resulting in his arrest.
Rivas faces charges of operating a vehicle while impaired (second offense), resisting an officer, plus warrants for hit-and-run and careless operation.

History

Historical Context

In 2014 the NYPD bought 14 DJI drones for $480,000, marking a major expansion of its aerial surveillance. That program set a precedent that Louisiana State Troopers later followed, deploying a drone to locate a DWI suspect. The repeated success pushes the Department of Transportation to draft new federal drone-use guidelines.

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Story summary

Victor M. Rivas, 40, was injured by an alligator while fleeing a DWI stop in St. Charles Parish, where the animal emerged unharmed.
After Rivas fled in a Toyota Supra on Interstate 10 near Bonnabel Boulevard and jumped into a swamp, a drone located him on Highway 61, resulting in his arrest.
Rivas faces charges of operating a vehicle while impaired (second offense), resisting an officer, plus warrants for hit-and-run and careless operation.

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