Debbie Lee Hudson handed wholly suspended jail term over Koumala double fatal crash

Heartbroken loved ones have revealed their torment after sitting at the hospital bedside of their teenage daughter who succumbed to terrible injuries from a crash that also claimed her father.

A driver responsible for a horror crash that claimed the lives of a father and daughter was caught speeding months after she had been charged over the double highway fatality.

Heartbroken loved ones have revealed their torment after sitting at the hospital bedside of 19-year-old Hannah Atherton who succumbed to injuries from the terrible incident barely a week after her father Alan Atherton died on the roadside.

And his grieving wife has voiced her disappointment in the penalty handed to the driver Debbie Lee Hudson who ripped her world apart saying she was “not really happy” at the result.

Alan had been celebrating his 60th birthday milestone and was taking his daughter Hannah for a ride on his Harley Davidson when this tragedy occurred 2km north of Koumala on Easter Monday 2022.

Skid marks measuring 12.6m stained the Bruce Highway highlighting where Alan braked in an effort to avoid hitting Hudson’s Hyundai SUV, Mackay Magistrates Court heard.

Driver Debbie Lee Hudson had been attempting a U-turn and did not see the motorbike carrying Alan Atherton and his 19-year-old daughter Hannah. Picture: Janessa Ekert

“(He) had done his best … unfortunately there was nothing more he could do,” Police prosecutor Sergeant John Moran said.

Alan died at the scene, while 19-year-old Hannah was flown to Townsville University Hospital where her family stayed by her side before making the gut-wrenching decision to turn off her life support on April 26.

Hudson is the driver responsible for the fatal crash that claimed their lives on the Bruce Hwy on April 18, 2022, 2km north of Koumala. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Alan’s wife and Hannah’s stepmother Breanca Atherton had been at work when police arrived to deliver the life shattering news.

WAITING FOR THEM AT A BIRTHDAY LUNCH

The court heard Alan’s father and sister had been at a restaurant waiting for the father and daughter to arrive for a birthday lunch.

“Breanca was unable to work for two months due to being grief stricken,” Magistrate Michelle Howard said, reading from an emotional victim impact statement.

The father and daughter died because of a crash on the Bruce Highway, 2km north of Koumala, on April 18, 2022.

“Alan was her life and best friend and had been her provider for some 15 years, he looked after the family and that she still struggles without him.”

Mrs Atherton also spoke of her heartbreak at losing Hannah “at the age of 19” and “the loss of the dreams and hopes for her shattered”.

Hannah’s mother Kate Webb, in her statement, revealed her “absolute despair” over being at seeing Hannah in intensive care.

“She speaks of her heart being shattered and that she’ll never recover,” Ms Howard said.

Clayton's Towing remove a motorcycle from the scene of a two-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway at Koumala on Easter Monday. Picture: Janessa Ekert

“She speaks of Hannah herself as a smart, caring loving young woman, close to family and friends.”

Alan’s wife Breanca, his step daughter, sister and parents were in court on Friday to watch as Hudson learned her fate over the collision, which was among the 20 crashes that claimed 22 lives in 2022.

DRIVER CAUGHT SPEEDING AFTER DOUBLE FATALITY

The court heard Hudson had been caught speeding since months after she had been charged over the double fatality and in the past five years had received six fines for speeding.

Hudson smiles outside Mackay courthouse as she heads in to learn her fate over the double fatal crash. Picture: Michaela Harlow

However her barrister John Jacob, instructed by Fisher Dore Lawyers, argued this was not relevant because “speed played no part in this incident”.

“This is a tragic incident for everyone involved and that includes Ms Hudson,” Mr Jacob said.

“She is devastated.

“(She) will continue to carry the almost unbearable burden of responsibility for having caused this incident and the weight of the consequences heavily for the rest of her life.”

Emergency services clean up the scene of a two-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway at Koumala on April 18, 2022. Picture: Janessa Ekert

Mr Jacob said his client’s criminality “really relates to her inattention in the moments between last looking to her right and driving forward to re-enter the road” labelling it the “sort of mistake that any of us could make”.

‘I THINK ABOUT ALAN AND HANNAH EVERY DAY

In a letter of apology read in court Hudson said, “I think about Alan and Hannah every day.

“If I had one wish I would go back in time and not drive forward.

“I live with those few seconds of the accident every day.”

Family of Alan Atherton and grandfather of Hannah Atherton, who died in a double fatal crash on the Bruce Highway on April 18, 2022, who came to watch as the driver who caused the crash was handed her penalty. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Both prosecution and defence agreed a term of imprisonment was appropriate.

Hudson, who was also hospitalised with pelvic fractures as a result of the crash, had already pleaded guilty to one count of driving without due care and attention causing death on April 18, 2022.

“I accept that you are deeply remorseful,” Ms Howard told Hudson.

“I do accept that you have significant insight.”

Ms Howard said inattention on the road was prevalent and there was “a high rate of fatalities and in the circumstances others must be deterred from committing similar offences for the protection of the Queensland community”.

Hudson was jailed for five months, wholly suspended for 18 months, and disqualified from driving for nine months. A conviction was recorded.