Nigel McWilliams was five times the legal limit at time of horror convertible crash at Southport

A Gold Coast man was more than five times the alcohol limit when he totalled his luxury car in a shocking crash. Read full details here.

A Gold Coast man was more than five times the alcohol limit and driving dangerously when he totalled his convertible in a crash that left him in a coma.

Nigel McWilliams was driving his luxury car on Southport Nerang Rd in the early hours of August 14 last year.

Southport Magistrates Court was told dashcam footage captured the 52-year-old swerving around another vehicle, almost colliding with it as he overtook it.

McWilliams continued driving but soon veered too far to the left, slamming into a traffic light and concrete guard.

The aftermath of the crash at the intersection of Southport Nerang Rd and Binstead Way, Southport shortly after 1am on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

Later testing revealed McWilliams was driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.252.

His car rolled in the crash and was still on its roof with McWilliams trapped inside when emergency services arrived at the scene.

The Bulletin reported at the time that McWilliams suffered serious injuries and was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition, where he was initially in a coma.

The court was told McWilliams struggled with alcoholism throughout his marriage, and had used it as a coping mechanism when he temporarily moved out of the family home.

It was heard that he was driving to his work premises to sleep when he crashed.

Nigel McWilliams (right) leaving the Southport courthouse with lawyer Darren Mahony. Picture: Jessica Paul

Defence lawyer Darren Mahony said McWilliams had since taken significant steps towards rehabilitation, with he and his wife mending their relationship and no longer drinking alcohol.

He said McWilliams was also undergoing counselling to help get his life back on track.

“Without employment and direction in his life, one might think his prospects of rehabilitation are, in fact, less,” Mr Mahony said.

Magistrate Sarah Thomas told McWilliams he was fortunate no one else was hurt.

“Clearly, (it) was a completely misguided decision at the time that has not only seen you injured and the loss of your vehicle, but before a criminal court,” she said.

McWilliams pleaded guilty to one count each of driving under the influence of liquor and dangerous operation of a vehicle.

He was placed on probation for 18 months, fined $1000, and disqualified from driving for six months for each offence.

No conviction was recorded.