Debbie Lee Hudson pleads guilty to double fatal crash at Koumala

A driver doing a U-turn who caused the death of a father and daughter during a birthday ride south of Mackay has entered a plea to the charge.

A reckless driver who caused the death of a father and daughter during a birthday ride south of Mackay has pleaded guilty to the charge.

East Mackay woman Debbie Lee Hudson, 65, was charged with one count of driving without due care and attention or driving without reasonable consideration for other people using the road causing death over the double tragedy at Koumala on Easter Monday 2022.

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.

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.

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 26 – her organs were donated.

More than 12 months after her first appearance in Mackay Magistrates Court Hudson has pleaded guilty to the charge.

She 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 plea was done in little more than a minute.

Several members of the Atherton family watched the proceedings and Hudson’s son was in court to support her.

The matter will be finalised later this month.

Correction: This article previously stated Hannah Atherton’s date of death was April 27, it was actually April 26. It also stated Hudson’s family were in court, but a member of the Atherton family has since advised they were relatives of the victims.