Man's blood-alcohol level astounds cops

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I., July 24 (UPI) -- A Rhode Island man is facing criminal charges after police said he crashed his car while his blood-alcohol level was six times higher than the legal maximum.

Stanley Kobierowski, 34, of North Providence, R.I., was arrested Monday after driving his car into an electronic road sign, The Providence (R.I.) Journal reported Wednesday.

Police said his blood-alcohol level reached 0.491, possibly the highest level detected on a Breathalyzer test in Rhode Island history. A motorist in Rhode Island is considered legally intoxicated with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08.

Kobierowski was freed on personal recognizance and is scheduled to attend a hearing Friday to face charges of drunken driving and resisting arrest, the newspaper said.

James Harasymiw, director of Alcohol Detection Services in Big Bend, Wis., said it is a wonder Kobierowski survived the incident.

"He is in a very small class of people because most people -- even heavy drinkers -- would be unconscious or approaching death to get up to (a reading of) 0.5," Harasymiw told reporters.