Broncos Payne Haas’ mum Uiatu Taufua gets fourth lawyer

The mother of a Broncos star, who remains in custody charged with triple manslaughter, has hired her fourth lawyer in six months.

The mother of a star NRL player – who is charged with the manslaughter of three people in a horror crash – has changed lawyers for the fourth time in six months.

Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, the mother of Broncos forward Payne Haas, was the sole survivor of a two-car collision in Bonogin, in the Gold Coast hinterland, in December, 2022.

Susan Zimmer, 70, her partner Chris Fawcett, 79, and Ms Zimmer’s 35-year-old daughter Steffanie, died at the scene after their silver Mercedes was allegedly rammed off the road.

Ms Taufua, 46, is charged with three counts of manslaughter, one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evading police and driving without a licence.

The mother of Broncos player Payne Haas, Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, was moved from the Gold Coast University Hospital to custody after she was treated for her injuries. Picture: 9 News.

Police will allege in court Ms Taufua was driving under the influence of alcohol when the fatal crash occurred at Bonogin on the Gold Coast.

While Ms Taufua did not appear before Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Magistrate Kerry Magee was told she had hired a new legal firm to represent her.

Hart Law firm formally excused itself from the matter on Thursday.

Solicitor Abdul Reslan, of Kings Law in Sydney, will now represent Ms Taufua, the court was told.

Mr Reslan is a Sydney based criminal lawyer, who has represented the likes of Marwan Haddad, the former brother-in-law of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim.

Ms Taufua was also previously represented by defence lawyers Sophie Dagg and Leah Johnson since her arrest in December.

Uiatu "Joan" Taufua was on parole when she allegedly caused a triple-fatal crash on the Gold Coast.

She is yet to enter any formal pleas and remains in custody.

It’s understood a bail application was previously withdrawn before it could be heard before the court.

Ms Taufua was allegedly seen by police driving a black 2017 Mercedes wagon “dangerously” along Bonogin Rd near Calanthe Lane just before 5pm.

She then allegedly fled the scene when officers activated their warning lights and attempted to intercept her car.

Officers did not pursue Ms Taufua.

Shortly afterwards, officers were alerted to a crash involving the black Mercedes wagon and another silver Mercedes hatchback about a kilometre down the road.

Uiatu Taufua was pulled from the wreckage and taken to hospital.

Emergency services were able to free the family of three from their silver Mercedes but they each died at the scene.

Ms Taufua was pulled from the black Mercedes, which caught fire, and was taken to hospital.

The court heard Mr Reslan had received the full brief of evidence but would need time to review it before proceeding.

Magistrate Magee adjourned the matter to September 14 for further mention.