BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- A man who was arrested after authorities smelled alcohol on his breath as he sat in a van that had become disabled has been acquitted of misdemeanor DUI charges, according to court records. Jose DeJesus Ruiz was found not guilty Thursday after his public defender presented evidence he didn't start drinking until after the van broke down, according to a release from the Kern County Public Defender's Office. "Mr. Ruiz was trying to protect his van after it broke down," Deputy Public Defender Elvia Zepeda said in the release. "He had no intention of driving under the influence that night. This case shows the importance of a fair trial and avoiding rushed judgments." Coroner identifies man fatally shot on McClean Avenue On the night of Jan. 21, California Highway Patrol officers came across Ruiz in a van parked at East Warren Avenue and Gillum Street in Oildale. They smelled alcohol and arrested him. Zepeda at trial said Ruiz had recently installed new tires and -- not having AAA or money for a tow -- decided to sleep in the van to keep it safe after it became disabled. The release says the attorney provided "credible and reliable evidence" he didn't drink until the van stopped working.