FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward County Assistant State Attorney Alim Babayev was arrested Tuesday night on charges of driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage.

According to an arrest report filed by the Florida Highway Patrol, a trooper was driving north on Interstate 95 just north of Broward Boulevard around 6:45 p.m. when he saw two vehicles with extensive damage parked on the right shoulder.

The trooper pulled over, and the drivers said their cars had been struck by a white car.

According to the report, a witness notified the Lake Worth Dispatch Center and followed the white car that had fled the scene.

Authorities said Babayev, 37, abandoned the white Ford Crown Victoria on I-95 between Sunrise Boulevard and Oakland Park Boulevard.

According to the report, he walked up to the witness's vehicle, begged him to let him inside and told him he would give him anything he wants.

Babayev was detained a short time later on the highway. Authorities said he appeared to be impaired based on his actions and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting on his breath.

Troopers said Babayev claimed he wasn't involved in a crash on I-95, although his car had damage, and he refused to submit to a field sobriety test.

Authorities said his clothing was soiled and wet and the left side of his pants were torn at the knee. Vomit stains were also all over his shirt, authorities said.

Paula McMahon, a spokeswoman for the Broward County State Attorney's Office, confirmed in an email Wednesday that Babayev is assigned to the office's felony trial unit.

She said he has been suspended without pay until the case is resolved.

"Our office will ask the governor to assign this case to another state attorney's office to avoid any potential appearance of a conflict of interest," McMahon said. "After the case is concluded, the state attorney and chief assistant state attorney will review the matter and make a decision regarding the future employment of the accused person."