Payne Haas’ mother Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua charged with manslaughter over triple-fatal crash at Bonogin

The mother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas has been returned to jail in a move so quiet her own defence lawyer was caught off guard. Full details.

The mother of NRL star Payne Haas has been covertly moved to jail and had her parole cancelled after being charged over a triple-fatal crash.

Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, 46, faces three charges of manslaughter and one each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, evading police, and unlicensed driving over the horror collision at Bonogin on December 30.

Police allege Taufua was driving dangerously and sped away from police shortly before colliding with another vehicle on Bonogin Rd.

She was the sole survivor of the crash.

Retired doctor Chris Fawcett, his partner Susan Zimmer, and Susan’s daughter Steffanie Zimmer all died at the scene.

Taufua was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and remained in a secure ward under police guard until Tuesday afternoon, when she was transported to the Southport watch house.

The mother of Broncos player Payne Haas, Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, 46, was transported to the watch house from Gold Coast University Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. Source: 9 News.

The Bonogin woman was there for less than 24 hours before her parole was cancelled and she was moved to Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre.

She was released on parole in October after serving one month’s jail for assaulting two security guards at The Star Gold Coast.

Her transfer to jail on Wednesday was carried out so quietly that even her defence lawyer, Leigh Johnson, seemed to have been caught off guard.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA . NewsWire Photos. JANUARY 4, 2023 - Leigh Johnson defence lawyer for Uiatu "Joan" Taufua arrives at the Southport Watchhouse only to find her client had already been moved to Prison. Uiata "Joan" Taufua was driving a vehicle that collided with another on Bonogin Road, Gold Coast killing the three passengers in that vehicle. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Clark

Ms Johnson attended the Southport watch house that afternoon to speak with her client, only to be told Taufua had already been taken to the Brisbane facility.

She told the Bulletin that Taufua seemed unwell when she spoke with her earlier that day.

“I spoke to her (Wednesday) morning, she’s not in a very good way,” Ms Johnson said.

“I’m not sure if I’ll get in (to see her) this afternoon, I’ll have to contact (the correctional centre).”

Ms Johnson said she needed to speak with Taufua before indicating whether or not the bail application listed for next week would go ahead.

NRL star’s mum taken to watch house

The mother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas will await her next court appearance from the Southport watch house after being released from hospital.

Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, 46, was transported to the watch house from Gold Coast University Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

She had been in a secure ward under police guard after suffering serious injuries in a horrific crash at Bonogin last week, of which she was the sole survivor.

Taufua was charged on Monday with three counts of manslaughter and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, evading police, and unlicensed driving.

#BREAKING: Uiatu "Joan" Taufua, the mother of Broncos star Payne Haas, has been transported from hospital to Southport Watch House.

Taufua will be able to apply for bail when she faces court next week.

MORE: https://t.co/UGkSAnE94R#9Newspic.twitter.com/ZYSqjhCOGX

— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) January 3, 2023

Police will allege Ms Taufua was driving a black Mercedes wagon dangerously a short time before colliding with another vehicle on Bonogin Rd, Bonogin at about 5pm Friday.

The Bonogin woman was allegedly unlicensed and had sped away from police – who activated their lights and sirens in an attempt to intercept her – just before the crash.

Retired doctor Christopher Fawcett, 79, his partner Susan Zimmer, 70, and Susan’s daughter Steffanie Zimmer, 35, died at the scene despite paramedics’ desperate efforts to save them.

Photo at the scene of the triple fatal car crash at Bonogin Road. Family member Claudine Snow (in white) was at there. 1 January 2023 Bonogin Picture by Richard Gosling

Taufua’s husband and brother attended court when her matter was mentioned for the first time on Monday.

Defence lawyer Leigh Johnson said on Monday that Taufua would remain in police custody if she was released from hospital before her bail application on January 11.

“I’m not sure about (when she will be released) – the doctors haven’t told me that,” Ms Johnson said.

Speaking to reporters outside the Southport courthouse, Ms Johnson said her client was still “not well”.

“It’s a really tragic event for everybody, and Ms Taufua is devastated that people have died as a result of it,” she said.

Uiatu "Joan" Taufua was represented by Leigh Johnson and supported by her husband and brother.

On Monday, Coomera Criminal Investigation Branch officer in charge Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Procter said through witnesses and CCTV police were able to “paint a picture” about what they allege happened.

“Police are alleging that that vehicle drove in an extremely dangerous manner on the wrong side of the road at high speed,” he said.

Det Sen Sgt Procter said police would allege that in the “preceding 10 minutes of the crash” the car was seen being driven at high speeds.

He said it will be alleged that police were following the car.

“Police activated lights and sirens and when she accelerated and police followed procedure and pulled over,” he said.

Det Sen Sgt Procter said police were then advised of the crash.

Police allege that was about a minute after they had pulled over into a car park at a place of worship.

He said it was not known what speed the car was travelling at the time of the crash.

Originally published as Payne Haas’ mother Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua charged with manslaughter over triple-fatal crash at Bonogin