Payne Haas’ mum Uiatu Taufua issued demand by court in fatal crash case

The mother of a star Brisbane Broncos player has been issued a demand by a magistrate as she faces manslaughter charges over a horror crash.

The mother of a star Brisbane Broncos player facing manslaughter charges over a horror crash that killed three people has been ordered to appear in court for her next hearing, as the case faces fresh delays.

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 on December 30, 2022.

Susan Zimmer, 70, her partner Chris Fawcett, 79, and Ms Zimmer’s 35-year-old daughter Steffanie were travelling in the second car, a silver Mercedes.

All three were killed in the horror crash.

Uiatu “Joan” Taufua has been charged with three charges of manslaughter following the horror crash.

Following the crash, Ms Taufau, 48, was charged with three counts of manslaughter, one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evading police and driving without a licence.

She was later charged with mid-range drink-driving in March, 2023.

Ms Taufau’s matter was briefly mentioned before Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Criminal lawyer Michael Gatenby, acting on behalf of Ms Taufau’s Sydney based lawyers King Law, told the court there’d been an agreement between the parties and draft orders had been made for cross-examination of a forensic officer.

The forensic officer will be cross-examined on November 27 as part of the committal process, which will take about 45 minutes.

Magistrate Kerry McGee ordered Ms Taufau be brought to court for her next court appearance.

Chris Fawcett was killed.

Steffanie Zimmer, 35 and Susan Zimmer, 70, also died in the crash at Bonogin.

Ms Taufua was allegedly driving her black 2017 Mercedes wagon “dangerously” along Bonogin Rd near Calanthe Lane just before 5pm the same afternoon as the fatal crash.

Police allegedly pursued her before they called off their pursuit after she allegedly fled the area.

Moments later, those same police officers were notified of a crash involving two cars about a kilometre down the road.

The mother of Broncos player Payne Haas, Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, 46, remains on remand. Picture: 9 News.

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 free from her black Mercedes after it had caught fire before she was taken to hospital.

It will be further alleged in court that Ms Taufua was driving under the influence at the time of the crash.

Ms Taufua did not appear before Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday, as she remains in on remand at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre.

She is yet to enter any formal pleas.

There is no suggestion Mr Haas was involved in the crash.