A standard alcoholic drink is defined as one that contains 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol. This amount of alcohol is typically contained in 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% ethanol by volume). The rate of alcohol metabolism by ADH is relatively constant, as the enzyme is saturated at relatively low blood alcohol levels and thus exhibits zero order kinetics (constant amount oxidized per unit of time). Alcohol metabolism is proportional to body weight (and probably liver weight) and averages approximately 1 ounce of pure alcohol per 3 hours in adults. I believe the article mentioned this man was around 50 yo so it’s not unreasonable to assume he was about 200 Lbs. It would take 7 beers for him to reach a BAC of 0.15 g/dl or 0.07 g/dl above legal intoxication. He would be metabolizing one beer per 2 hr period ((1oz/180mins) x 120mins = 0.67 fl ozs) so it would take him 6 hrs to be at 0.08g/dl. My background in the criminal justice system leads me to believe that if there was suspicion of intoxication BAC testing would be expedited. Even if testing took an inordinate number of hours, extrapolation back would be attempted but how admissible is open to conjecture. If this man was intoxicated, he will suffer the consequences, which most likely will be incarceration upstate as it should be. I’m just tired of the papers and the system trying people outside of court. Newday’s Wall of Shame bit them on the ass after they posted a woman’s picture alleging DWI when in actuality she was a diabetic in hypoglycemia.
