Eldon Lawrence Langham: Gold Coast motorist involved in second crash while under the influence

A Gold Coast plasterer who previously received a suspended jail sentence after crashing while more than four times the legal blood-alcohol limit has been involved in another collision while under the influence.

Mudgeeraba man Eldon Lawrence Langham, 44, leaving Southport Magistrates Court on July 29, 2025. Picture: Alex Treacy

A Gold Coast plasterer who previously received a suspended jail sentence after blowing more than four times the legal limit when he blew through a red light and slammed into a parked car has been involved in another crash while under the influence.

Mudgeeraba man Eldon Lawrence Langham, 44, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 29, where he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of liquor or a drug.

The offence occurred at Napper Rd, Arundel, on January 7 this year.

Police prosecutor Erin Garland told the court police were tasked to attend a traffic crash in which a vehicle had left the roadway and mown down a residential fence.

Witnesses present identified Langham as the driver, the court heard.

Mudgeeraba man Eldon Lawrence Langham, 44, leaving Southport Magistrates Court on July 29, 2025, with his ailing father in the background. Picture: Alex Treacy

Police took up with the defendant, who they believed displayed evidence of being under the influence, including slurred speech and drowsiness.

He told police he couldn’t remember how the crash came about and he was transferred to Gold Coast University Hospital, where a sample of his blood returned a positive reading for methamphetamine and amphetamine.

Ms Garland told the court the Arundel crash occurred in breach of a suspended sentence imposed in the Southport Magistrates Court on June 13, 2022, in which he was given 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for three years, after pleading guilty to a charge of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

On that occasion, the court heard that on August 20, 2021, Langham ran a red light at speed on Surf Pde, Broadbeach before hitting the median strip and crashing into a parked car.

His breath test returned a positive reading of 0.22 per cent blood-alcohol content.

Regarding the current matter, defence lawyer Mark Savic told the court his client had “self-medicated” with the substances about 72 hours prior to crashing into the fence, and didn’t believe he would still be affected.

Mr Savic said his client naturally presents with slurred speech and co-ordination issues – “that’s just how he’s built” – but does not have a problem with substance abuse.

He said Langham worked part-time as a plasterer in between caring for his elderly parents, who he lives with. His father has advanced cancer, Mr Savic added.

Langham has not driven since the offence date, the court heard.

Magistrate Deborah Mitchell fined him $300, disqualified him from driving for six months, and extended the terms of the suspended sentence by one month.