Debbie Lee Hudson charged with reckless driving over Koumala double fatal

A driver accused of being responsible for a double fatal crash that claimed the lives of a father and daughter south of Mackay can be named.

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

An alleged reckless driver charged over a double fatal crash that claimed the lives of a father and daughter during an Easter Monday ride south of Mackay can be named.

East Mackay woman Debbie Lee Hudson appeared in court for the first time on Monday charged over the double tragedy.

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

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

Alan Atherton, 60 and his daughter Hannah, 19 were on a motorcycle on the Bruce Highway at Koumala 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.

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. Picture: Janessa Ekert

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

They on a ride 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.

Alan Atherton, 60, died at the scene and his daughter Hannah, 19, passed away days later at Townsville Hospital. Picture: Janessa Ekert

Police alleged Ms Hudson, who had stopped the vehicle she was driving on the side of the road, had given way to a number of other motorcycles on a separate ride before conducting a U-turn having not seen Mr Atherton’s bike.

She 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.

She is represented by Fisher Dore Lawyers, who sought an adjournment.

Matters will be mentioned later this month and Ms Hudson is on bail on her own undertaking.