People who live in California know that the state has some of the strictest drunk driving laws in the country. While it is important for people to make wise decisions and not unnecessarily endanger themselves or others, it is also important for the rights of all drivers to be properly respected. A drunk driving conviction can have a significant impact on a person’s life and should not be taken lightly.
When a driver strongly asserts that they have not consumed alcohol, it might seem logical that professionals should look for other causes of certain behaviors or test results. Sadly, that did not happen for a long time for one man who was convicted of a driving under the influence charge despite strongly insisting that he had not had any alcoholic beverages.
According to Live Science, the man exhibited the signs of being intoxicated on multiple occasions over several years despite never drinking alcohol. Eventually, it was discovered that he had a rare medical condition called auto-brewery syndrome where his body converted sweet or carbohydrate-laden beverages and food into alcohol. The problem began after a course of antibiotics altered his stomach’s natural bacterial balance.
At one point, the man was found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.40%, a level that was beyond what is considered fatal. Fortunately, he survived and has now undergone treatment and uses probiotics to ensure that his stomach contains enough good bacteria that he can even eat and drink foods and beverages that contain carbohydrates or sugar. It is not known yet if his prior drunk driving conviction has or will be overturned due to this discovery.