Payne Haas’s mum Joan Taufua to stand trial for manslaughter over triple fatal crash
The mother of Broncos star Payne Haas has been ordered to stand trial for manslaughter over an horrific Gold Coast crash that left three people dead.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A woman accused of killing three people in a horrific Gold Coast hinterland crash has been ordered to stand trial for manslaughter.
Uiatu “Joan” Taufua allegedly fled from a police patrol car on December 30, 2022, before ploughing into an oncoming vehicle just minutes later carrying Steffi Zimmer, her mother Susan Zimmer and her mother’s former partner Chris Fawcett.
All three died at the scene while Taufua, the crash’s only survivor, was charged with manslaughter, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evade police and unlicensed driving.
A charge of mid-range drink driving was added at a subsequent court appearance in March last year.
Taufua is the mother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas and rising Gold Coast Titans player Klese. There is no suggestion either of the Haas brothers had any involvement in the collision.
During a brief committal hearing in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday, defence barrister Martin Longhurst questioned the forensic officer who compiled a detailed report on the crash.
He suggested there was potential for the data used to analyse the crash to generate errors if speeds were estimated from different reference points.
More than 30 witness statements were tendered to the court, including one from a senior forensic crash investigator, Senior Constable Patrick McDonald.
Under grilling from Mr Longhurst on the accuracy of the technology used to analyse the speed and other data surrounding the crash, he conceded you “have got to always account for error in any measurement” but he believed the data was sound.
The court was told forensic evidence suggested Taufua’s car was travelling at more than 90km/hr in the moments before the crash.
After about 20 minutes of forensic questioning, Mr Longhurst said his client accepted there was a prima facie case.
She was ordered to stand trial on three counts of manslaughter on a date to be fixed in Brisbane Supreme Court.
The remaining charges will return to the magistrate court in June next year.
Taufua waved and smiled at a large group of supporters who had gathered in the courtroom as the hearing started.
When the proceedings were finished, she blew kisses to the group and said “I love you all” as she was led from the court.
Some replied: “Love you Mum.”
Outside court, Claudine Snow, who lost her mother and sister in the crash, spoke through tears as she said she owed it to her family to follow the case through its conclusion.
Speaking outside court, Ms Snow fought through tears as she told of her “distress” at the tragedy and its progression through the legal process.
“It’s very difficult, but I need to see the process through for my family,” she said.
“I owe it to them to see it through and as hard as that may be I need to do this for my family.
“I really appreciate the support everyone has given me.”
She then shared an emotional embrace with Sara Degan, a lifelong friend of her sister Steffi.
‘Remember me c**t?’: Question sparking violent Surfers bust-up
A Gold Coast man has been ordered to pay thousands in compensation over a violent alcohol-fuelled fight in the party strip. Read what happened.
Read more
Cop forced out after grisly knife attack sues state for $1.4m
A Brisbane policeman set to be medically retired after a knife attack by a man alleged to have once talked about ‘suicide by cop’ has sued the state for the loss of his career.
Read more