Opinion ID: 1920407
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Admissibility of Evidence Relating to the Degree of Impairment Caused by a Breath Alcohol Concentration of 0.1 Grams or More of Alcohol in 210 Liters of Breath.

Text: Pangman finally contends the circuit court abused its discretion by admitting into evidence without a reasonable basis Dr. Field's testimony as to the degree of impairment caused by a breath alcohol concentration of 0.1 grams of alcohol or more in 210 liters of breath. It is alcohol in the blood which results in impairment, Pangman again asserts, not alcohol in the breath. [20] We find no merit in Pangman's contention. Pangman relies again upon Walstad, but as discussed above, blood alcohol is merely an indicator of brain alcohol and the record amply indicates that breath alcohol is an accurate and reliable indicator as well. The evidence relating Pangman's breath test result to impairment was relevant for several purposes. Dr. Field's testimony supported the accuracy and reliability of the breath test result. As noted above, Dr. Field testified that a person's degree of alcohol impairment could be based upon a breath test result alone. Dr. Field further stated that breath alcohol is an accurate measure of impairment because the breath alcohol is related to the alcohol in the rest of the body including the blood in the brain. The Intoxilyzer 5000 is a reliable indicator of alcohol impairment, Dr. Field continued, because it does not normally give a reading for alcohol which was not deep in the lungs and therefore in whole body. In addition, Dr. Field's testimony corroborated the opinion of the Wisconsin state patrol officer who arrested Pangman that Pangman was under the influence of an intoxicant. The officer testified he observed Pangman driving erratically on an interstate highway. The officer stopped Pangman's vehicle. While explaining to Pangman why he had been stopped, the officer noted an odor of alcohol on Pangman's breath. The officer further observed that Pangman's eyes were red and glassy. The officer asked Pangman to recite the alphabet. Pangman was unable to do so until singing the alphabet on the fifth attempt. The officer then asked Pangman to perform two field sobriety tests. The officer observed that Pangman was unable to perform either test. Dr. Field's testimony established that the actions observed by the officer were consistent with the nature of impairment caused by a breath alcohol concentration of 0.1 grams or more of alcohol in 210 liters of breath. By the Court. The judgments of conviction of the circuit courts in State v. McManus and State v. Pangman are affirmed.