HOUSTON -- Students and parents were stunned Wednesday by the arrest of a popular rabbi who was taken into custody while trying to help a 16-year-old student who received a traffic citation, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The incident took place Wednesday morning across from The Emery/Weiner School located in southwest Houston.

According to the Houston Police Department, Rabbi Maccabee Avishur was charged with interfering with a police investigation.

Witnesses said the student was on her way to school when she was pulled over and ticketed for allegedly making an illegal left-hand turn from the wrong lane at the intersection of West Bellfort and Stella Link Road.

People who live and work in the area said that until making that turn was legal until recently.

They said the city of Houston placed new signage near the traffic signal, but did not adequately inform the public, and that has created confusion and caused drivers to unintentionally violate the traffic law.

Concerned drivers also pointed out that the street is still painted with arrows indicating that vehicles can turn left when traveling north from West Bellfort to Stella Link.

"Apparently a lot of people are getting tickets this week. There's no sign. They just changed it and it's probably not fair," one concerned parent told KPRC Local 2.

Stuart Dow, who is the Head of School at The Emery/Weiner School, called the incident a misunderstanding and said the community does not blame the police officer for trying to enforce traffic laws.

Dow described Avishur as someone who is adored by students.

"I don't know what transpired, but I don't think he had anything but the best of intentions of a young girl at heart," said Dow.

Parents said that Avishur, who is the head of Judaic Studies at the school, was probably trying to explain the confusing change to the police officer when he was arrested.

"The learning experience -- you probably need to provide space for police officers to do their job, even if it seems misguided or unfair at the time," said Dow.

While the case against Avishur is investigated, the school is asking the city of Houston to conduct a traffic study.

The school also sent out a school note warning student drivers, parents and staff to be aware of the recent change at that intersection.