A Marine who became ill after drinking a can of Coca-Cola admitted Friday that he drank penetrating oil before the soft drink to avoid taking a spelling test, military officials said Friday.
Lance Cpl. Jose Acosta, 24, told investigators he drank some WD-40 lubricant, then sprayed some into the soft drink can, Marine spokesman Sgt. Art Alejandre said.
Acosta drank the penetrating oil to become ill, thereby avoiding a spelling test, Alejandre said.
Before the admission, authorities had tested the contents of Acosta's can of Coca-Cola Classic and found that it contained the lubricant, which is often used on the base to clean guns, officials said.
Tests also were conducted on other cans of Coca-Cola in the base vending machine where Acosta had bought the soft drink. No contaminants were found in the other cans.
