A man who was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) has been acquitted after being diagnosed with auto-brewery syndrome (ABS). ABS is a rare medical condition that causes the body to ferment carbohydrates into alcohol in the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to high levels of alcohol in the blood without the person consuming any alcohol.
In this case, the defendant was pulled over for erratic driving. A breathalyzer test revealed that he had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.12%, which is above the legal limit of 0.08%. However, the defendant was not showing any signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech or impaired coordination.
The defendant’s lawyer argued that his client had ABS and that the alcohol in his system was not due to alcohol consumption but rather a result of his medical condition. Three different doctors who examined the defendant confirmed the diagnosis of ABS.
The judge ruled in favor of the defendant, citing the medical evidence and the lack of signs of intoxication. This is the first known case of ABS being used as a defense in a DUI case.
ABS is a relatively rare condition, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 people. It is more common in people with certain gastrointestinal conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. ABS can be managed with a low-carbohydrate diet and antibiotics, which can help to reduce the fermentation process in the gut.
