Debbie Lee Hudson charged with reckless driving over Koumala double fatal

There will be further significant delays in the matter against an alleged reckless driver charged over a horror highway crash that claimed the lives of a Queensland father and daughter.

Hannah Atherton, 19, was the pillion passenger on her 60-year-old father Alan Atherton’s Harley Davidson when tragedy struck about 10.25am on Monday April 18. Picture: Facebook

There will be further significant delays in the case against an alleged reckless driver charged over a horror highway crash that claimed the lives of a father and daughter south of Mackay more than 12 months ago.

East Mackay woman Debbie Lee Hudson is facing one count of driving without due care and attention or driving without reasonable consideration for other people using the road causing death over a double tragedy at Koumala on Easter Monday.

Alan Atherton, 60, and his daughter Hannah, 19, were on a motorcycle on the Bruce Highway when the fatal crash occurred about 10.25am on April 18, 2022.

Hannah Atherton died on April 27, 2022 after a tragic crash on the Bruce Highway in Koumala. Picture: Facebook

Mr Atherton died at the scene while Hannah, who was the pillion passenger on her father’s Harley Davidson, was flown in a critical condition to Townsville Hospital where her life support was switched off days later.

She passed away on April 27 – her organs were donated.

Clayton's Towing remove a car and motorcycle from the scene of a two-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway at Koumala on Easter Monday. The crash killed one man, left a woman in a critical condition and left five others injured. April 18, 2022. Picture: Janessa Ekert

They had been out riding to celebrate Mr Atherton’s 60th birthday when his motorbike and a silver sedan hatch collided near the highway intersection with McNeil Rd, just after Cherry Tree Creek.

Police alleged Ms Hudson, who had stopped the vehicle she was driving on the side of the road, had given way to other motorcycles on a separate ride before conducting a U-turn and colliding with Mr Atherton’s bike.

Ms Hudson, 64, faces a maximum penalty of one year’s jail or up to an $11,500 fine and at least a six-month licence ban.

Hannah Atherton, 19, was the pillion passenger on her 60-year-old father Alan Atherton’s Harley Davidson when tragedy struck about 10.25am on Monday April 18. Picture: Facebook

Her matters were mentioned in Mackay Magistrates Court on Thursday where her solicitor Antoinette Morton, of Fisher Dore Lawyers, said they were still waiting for an expert report in relation to the matter.

Ms Morton said “a finite two questions” would be answered by the report.

Ms Morton told the court she had received footage from prosecution of the surrounding area on the day of the incident but there had been delays in getting a hard drive to the author of the expert report.

She asked for a two month adjournment so the report could be finalised. Matters were adjourned to mid August.

Ms Hudson has not yet entered a plea.