Opinion ID: 2344381
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: plaintiffs presented sufficient evidence under the reasonably-apparent prong.

Text: {17} In assessing the sufficiency of the evidence, we review for substantial evidence. See Weststar Mortg. Corp. v. Jackson, 2003-NMSC-002, ¶ 8, 133 N.M. 114, 61 P.3d 823. In reviewing the jury verdict for substantial evidence, we examine the record for relevant evidence such that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion, viewing the facts in the light most favorable to the verdict. Nava v. City of Santa Fe, 2004-NMSC-039, ¶ 10, 136 N.M. 647, 103 P.3d 571 (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). {18} Meteor contends that the only testimony regarding Durand's appearance at the time of sale was Durand's own testimony that he did not think he appeared drunk when he was last sold a beer by Meteor. Durand testified at his deposition that he was not intoxicated at the time Meteor employees sold him beer on the day of the accident, but later stipulated that he was intoxicated at the time Meteor employees sold him the beer that same day. He also testified that Meteor's employees knew that he was drinking while working on August 31, 2003, because sometimes one of the employees would ask him for a drink. Durand believed that he could not have appeared intoxicated, boasting that he could still walk straight, and that in the past he would drink 18-20 beers and then drive to buy more beer. However, other evidence at trial calls into question Durand's self-assessment. {19} The manager admitted that Durand's alcoholism was pretty well-known among Meteor employees. The manager also testified that Durand, a daily patron who also worked there, was usually visibly intoxicated by 3:00 p.m. Durand testified that the Meteor place of business is the only place he bought his beer. See Studer, 925 N.E.2d at 637 (noting that [s]ignificantly, [the patron] was a regular at the . . . [bar] and admitted to consuming about eight beers per day). Durand testified that the store's employees who were working on the day of the accident knew that when he purchased beer he was working and that he had been drinking all day long, because they observed him doing so. See Plummer, 114 N.M. at 247, 836 P.2d at 1268 (relying in part on the length of time that the patron spent at the bar); Studer, 925 N.E.2d at 637 (finding relevant that the servers had plenty of opportunities to observe the patron while on the premises). {20} Moreover, Durand admitted that he drank seven twelve-ounce cans of beer and one twenty-four-ounce can of malt liquor, which has a higher alcohol content than regular beer, while he was at the Meteor business establishment. See Plummer, 114 N.M. at 247, 836 P.2d at 1268 (relying in part on the quantity of alcohol that the patron had consumed before the relevant service). Approximately one hour after Durand left Meteor, he crashed into Gutierrez. Officer Richard Castillo, who investigated the accident, testified that Durand's appearance indicated that Durand was intoxicated. He further testified that Durand's speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot. When Officer Castillo administered field sobriety tests to Durand, Durand was unable to complete the tests as instructed. Durand swayed heavily from side to side and missed the tip of his nose when he was asked to touch it with his forefinger. See Studer, 925 N.E.2d at 637 (an officer's observation of the patron at the accident scene was relevant to the patron's drunken state at the earlier time of service). Five hours after the accident and six hours after he was sold his last beer by Meteor, Durand's blood alcohol level was 0.09 gms/ 100 ml. See Plummer, 114 N.M. at 247, 836 P.2d at 1268 (relying in part on the patron's blood alcohol level). All of this circumstantial evidence was sufficient to support a jury finding that Durand was intoxicated at the time Meteor employees sold him beer and that it was reasonably apparent that he was intoxicated. Although Durand attributed his dangerous driving and poor performance on field sobriety tests to his consumption of illegal drugs minutes before the accident, the jury was free to reject this testimony.