Motorcyclist accused of trying to run over state trooper on Parkway West

PITTSBURGH — A man is facing charges after he allegedly tried to run over a Pennsylvania State Police trooper with his motorcycle Tuesday afternoon in Pittsburgh, authorities said.

The incident happened shortly after 4:30 p.m. on the Parkway West eastbound, just before the Fort Pitt Tunnel.

Police said the trooper was in a patrol vehicle when he spotted the motorcycle being driven on the shoulder of the highway, passing several vehicles. When he activated the lights on his patrol vehicle, which was sitting on the shoulder, the motorcycle was driven back onto the road.

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According to a criminal complaint, the trooper got out of his vehicle and waved for the motorcyclist, Alexandre Rattes, to pull over.

Rattes ignored the command and turned his motorcycle toward the trooper as he accelerated from about 60 feet away, according to a criminal complaint.

The trooper feared he would be hit, so he jumped out of the way, pushing off Rattes’ body as he drove the motorcycle between him and the patrol vehicle, police said. Rattes crashed on the shoulder of the highway.

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Rattes was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital before being placed in the Allegheny County Jail. The trooper was scraped during the incident.

Rattes told authorities he never saw the trooper and swerved to avoid hitting another vehicle that stopped suddenly in front of him. He also admitted he is not a U.S. citizen and does not have a driver’s license.

Charges against Rattes include aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude police and recklessly endangering another person.

Cox Media Group