Samuel Louis Judd Neal: Broadbeach Waters mechanic in Helensvale drink driving crash

A Broadbeach Waters mechanic and nightclub host’s drink-drive crash at Helensvale resulted in his car rolling onto its roof. Read what happened here.

Samuel Louis Judd Neal, 24, was sentenced for driving over the general alcohol limit when he appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Picture: Instagram

A Broadbeach Waters mechanic and nightclub host has been sentenced after his drink driving resulted in a crash and car flip at Helensvale.

Samuel Louis Judd Neal, 24, pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit when he appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard police were called to a two-vehicle traffic crash on the southbound Pacific Motorway at Helensvale around 5.35am on November 17, 2024.

At the scene, a blue Ranger had rolled onto its roof with a black Mercedes stopped a short distance away.

The court heard that Neal told police he fell asleep at the wheel and veere into the rear of another car. Picture: Instagram

The court heard Neal, driving the Mercedes, told police he was going from his workplace in Brisbane, fell asleep at the wheel and veered into the rear of the Ranger, causing it to roll.

He told police he had not eaten since 2pm the previous afternoon and had consumed beer and spirits including a Jagerbomb drink.

He returned a Blood Alcohol Concentration reading of 0.063.

Neal’s defence solicitor Adrian Gerard from Provest Law told the court the offence was out of character for his client who had learned hard lessons about why he shouldn't drink and drive, why he shouldn’t drink on a mostly empty stomach and why he shouldn’t drive when exhausted.

The court heard that Neal submitted to a breath test and returned a Blood Alcohol Concentration reading of 0.063. Picture: Instagram

Mr Gerard submitted the offence was out of character for Neal who has no history of drug or alcohol use.

He said his client had observed attitudes towards responsible drinking in his job as a night club host and hadn’t had anything to drink three hours before his drive.

He told the court Neal had cooperated with police, and shown a great deal of concern and remorse for the other driver.

The court heard Neal was eligible for a work licence but had chosen not to apply for one to receive full punishment for his conduct.

Neal at Cali Beach. Picture: Damien Wright

Acting Magistrate Sarah Thompson regarded Neal’s decision to not apply for a work licence and said there was going to be some consequences in relation to his primary job as a mechanic and a nightclub host.

She accepted the offence was out of character.

He was fined $400 and suspended from driving for a month.

A conviction was not recorded.