Debbie Lee Hudson charged with reckless driving over Koumala double fatal

The case against a driver accused over a double fatal crash that claimed the lives of a father and daughter south of Mackay is back in court. Read why.

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

A lawyer for an alleged reckless driver charged over a fatal crash that claimed the lives of a father and daughter during an Easter Monday ride south of Mackay plans to make submissions about the case.

East Mackay woman Debbie Lee Hudson is charged with two counts 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.

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

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.

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. 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 having not seen Mr Atherton’s bike.

The crash killed Alan Atherton and his daughter Hannah. Picture: Janessa Ekert

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.

Her appearance was excused when her case was briefly mentioned in Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday.

Sean Gibbs, of Fisher Dore Lawyers, said his colleague Antoinette Morton had carriage of the matter and had sent a submission to police prosecutors.

The court heard police prosecution did not appear to have a copy of the submission yet.

Matters were adjourned to next month for mention.