Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua manslaughter case returns to Southport Magistrates Court

The case of a Gold Coast woman accused of killing three people in a fiery hinterland crash is expected to reach its next major step in the coming weeks.

Uiatu “Joan” Taufua matter mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court

The case of a Gold Coast woman accused of killing three people in a fiery hinterland crash is expected to soon be committed to a higher court.

Uiatu “Joan” Taufua allegedly fled from a police car minutes before slamming into an oncoming vehicle at Bonogin on December 30 last year.

All three people in the other car – Chris Fawcett, his partner Susan Zimmer, and her daughter Steffanie – died at the scene, leaving Ms Taufua the sole survivor.

The mother of Broncos player Payne Haas, Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, 46, being transported to the Southport watch-house from hospital after the crash. Source: 9 News.

She is charged with three counts of manslaughter and one each of evading police, dangerous operation of a vehicle, unlicensed driving, and mid-range drink driving.

Ms Taufua – who is the mother of NRL players Payne and Klese Haas – has spent the months since the crash in custody, having withdrawn a previously scheduled bail application before it was heard in court.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by either of the Haas brothers.

The Bonogin woman was not required to appear when her case was briefly mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

Defence barrister Elliot Boddice told the court that negotiations were ongoing between the parties, and asked for a four-week adjournment to finalise instructions for committal proceedings.

Magistrate Kerry Magee directed that Ms Taufua’s counsel advise whether the committal would proceed via registry or in court at the next mention on October 12.

Ms Taufua will remain in custody and is not required to appear when her case returns to court.