Authorities remove alligator from middle of Louisiana highway

April 20 (UPI) -- Traffic on a Louisiana highway was diverted for about an hour early Thursday while authorities attempted to wrangle a nearly 11-foot gator that wandered into the middle of the road.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office said a witness called about 3:30 a.m. Thursday to report an alligator in the middle of Louisiana Highway 1, between Flournoy Lucas and Leonard roads.

Deputies diverted traffic while Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries officials worked to capture the 400-pound alligator, which they said had been injured when an 18-wheeler ran over its tail.

The alligator was successfully captured with the help of a nuisance trapper and the roadway was reopened after about an hour.

Officials later said the alligator's injuries were deemed to be too severe to treat and it was put down at the scene.