Belgian Man Acquitted of Drunk Driving Due to Rare Medical Condition

A Belgian man was cleared of drunk driving charges after doctors discovered he has a rare metabolic condition called auto-brewery syndrome (ABS) that causes his body to naturally produce alcohol. The 40-year-old man, who works at a brewery, was pulled over by police twice in 2022 for suspected drunk driving, with breathalyzer readings above the legal limit in Belgium.

However, the man's lawyer argued that his client's ABS condition was responsible for the high blood alcohol levels. Three independent doctors confirmed the man's diagnosis of auto-brewery syndrome, a condition where the body produces ethanol through endogenous fermentation by fungi or bacteria in the gastrointestinal system, leading to signs of intoxication despite no alcohol intake.

The Bruges police court acquitted the man, with the judge emphasizing that the defendant did not experience symptoms of intoxication and that factors unforeseen by law applied to his case. "The court recognized that factors unforeseen by law applied to the man's case and acquitted him of the charge," stated the man's lawyer, Anse Ghesquiere.

The man had previously been fined and had his driving license suspended in 2019 after being pulled over, despite protesting that he had not consumed any alcohol. At the time, he was unaware of his ABS condition. Ghesquiere noted that the number of ABS cases is likely underestimated globally, with only around 20 people officially diagnosed with the condition.

Why this matters: This case highlights the importance of thorough medical investigations in instances where individuals exhibit signs of intoxication without consuming alcohol. It also raises awareness about rare conditions like auto-brewery syndrome that can have significant legal and personal consequences if left undiagnosed.

To manage his condition, the man is now following a carbohydrate-light diet to avoid his stomach producing more alcohol. The prosecution has a month to lodge an appeal if they wish to challenge the court's decision. Auto-brewery syndrome is an extremely rare condition caused by an unusually high concentration of yeast in the stomach, and researchers have not yet discovered how the yeast is able to set up colonies in the human gut.

Key Takeaways

• Belgian man acquitted of drunk driving due to rare ABS condition
• ABS causes body to naturally produce alcohol, leading to intoxication
• Diagnosis confirmed by 3 doctors, court recognized condition as defense
• Man previously fined and license suspended in 2019 before ABS diagnosis
• ABS cases likely underestimated, man now on carb-light diet to manage