Breanca Atherton speaks out over Koumala fatal crash driver Debbie Lee Hudson

A reckless driver’s actions killed Breanca Atherton’s husband and teen stepdaughter. Now the brave Queensland mum has spoken for the first time about their tragic deaths and legacy.

Hannah Atherton died on April 27, 2022 after a tragic crash on the Bruce Highway in Koumala. Through organ donation she went on to save five others. Picture: Facebook

Hannah Atherton didn’t deserve to die when she and her dad became the victims of a reckless driver, but the beloved Mackay teen now lives on in the bodies of five strangers.

It’s a comforting thought for Breanca Atherton who is still coming to grips with her new reality after losing both her husband and 19-year-old stepdaughter in a terrible highway crash on April 18, 2022.

The tragic truth about how Hannah’s selfless organ donation helped save two men, two women and a baby dates back to the days following the crash when her loved ones made the heartbreaking decision to switch off her life support but is only being told now after the driver responsible was sentenced.

“She’s got a legacy … she’s out there still”, Breanca told this publication as she shared for the first time since the double fatality on the Bruce Highway, just north of Koumala near Cherry Creek Bridge, the lasting impact of the crash.

It comes after Debbie Lee Hudson was handed a five-month wholly suspended jail term and nine-month driving disqualification after pleading guilty to reckless driving causing death.

Breanca Atherton treasures these photos of her late husband Alan and stepdaughter Hannah, taken 20 minutes before they died in a terrible crash on the Bruce Highway at Koumala on Easter Monday 2022. Picture: Supplied by Breanca Atherton

Days later after processing what had happened in Mackay Magistrates Court, Breanca said she and Alan’s family were “still angry”.

“We’re still not happy with what the outcome was for two lives,” she said, indicating the licence ban was not long enough.

“How do you justify that for two lives?”

Breanca Atherton and Alan Atherton. Picture: Supplied by Breanca Atherton

Although the maximum disqualification period was 12 months, Magistrate Michelle Howard took into account that Hudson had not driven for three months after the crash because she had also been injured.

“She caused that accident so why should (that) be given to her,” Breanca said.

‘We had to do it for her’

It had been Alan’s 60th birthday and he and Hannah had gone for a ride to mark the milestone ahead of a family lunch.

Breanca has a photo of Alan and Hannah taken 20 minutes before the crash where they stopped at an Atherton family plaque in Sarina.

“Then they got hit in Koumala,” Breanca explained

Breanca had been at work when police delivered the news Alan had been in a crash and did not survive.

She “dropped to the floor”.

Alan Atherton with his daughter Hannah before the pair were killed in a crash when a driver struck the motorbike they were riding. Picture: Facebook

Compounding her grief was learning Hannah was critical and had to be flown to Townsville where she succumbed to her injuries, forcing her loved ones to make the difficult choice after learning she would “have no quality of life”.

“We had to do it for her, she was 19,” Breanca said.

“And she saved five people, she’s out there still, she’s going to grow old with five different people.”

‘He always looked after us’

Even 18 months on, it feels like it was just yesterday Breanca got the news which changed her life forever.

Warm memories of Alan’s contagious laugh, smile and big character soften the heartbreaking daily reminders around the home.

Alan died at the scene while Hannah was flown to Townsville where she died eight days later. Picture: Janessa Ekert

His work boots still sit by the front door, Breanca cannot bare to move them.

“He always looked after us … nothing was too big or too small,” she said.

“It is hard coming home … it’s just empty.”

Hudson had been attempted a U-turn and did not see Alan’s bike. Picture: Janessa Ekert

Alan had worked at Hail Creek for 19 years and as a testament to the impact he made on the lives of others, more than 500 people came to pay their respects at his and Hannah’s joint farewell.

“It was overwhelming,” Breanca said.

She and Alan had been married 15 years and known each other more than two decades – their first date had been a weekend away on Lindeman Island.

Hannah Atherton was obsessed with My Little Pony. So her father Alan got a My Little Pony tattoo for her. The pair died following a crash on the Bruce Highway at Koumala on April 18, 2023. Picture: Supplied by Breanca Atherton

“It was meant to be … (we were) inseparable,” she said.

Alan taught Breanca’s daughter Dannielle, 20, how to drive and look after her car.

He was a passionate biker and Hannah, who she described as a “little pocket rocket” and he were very close with the pair sharing his love of motorcycles.

“She was always on the bike … ever since she could get on that bike she was on it with him,” Breanca said.

David Collins, 71, died in a motorcycle-car crash near Yalboroo on Saturday, September 16. Photo: Contributed

In another blow to the Mackay motorcycle community one of Alan’s mates, David Collins also died when the motorbike he was riding and a vehicle collided on September 16, 2023 on the Bruce Highway at the Cathu O’Connell River Rd turn off.

‘Nothing will bring them back’

Breanca said she and the family were not convinced about Hudson’s “remorse”.

The 65-year-old deadly driver had tendered a letter of apology that was read aloud during her sentence.

Debbie Lee Hudson was smiling as outside Mackay courthouse as she walked in to be sentenced for causing the double fatal crash. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Breanca said she had been told the letter was only written days before she was sentenced despite the case taking 14 months to go through the courts.

The family was also angered by the revelation Hudson was caught speeding after she had already been charged over the double fatal.

“We can’t change what’s happened,” Breanca said.

“Nothing will bring them back.”

While the family did not necessarily feel there was closure, they were relieved the arduous court ordeal was over.

“We don’t have to go back to that courtroom again,” she said, adding Alan’s 90-year-old father had been present every time the case was mentioned.

“To show support for his son and granddaughter.”

As for the future, Breanca and her daughters are just taking things one day at a time

There’s also the possibility they might one day meet the people carrying Hannah’s legacy.

“That would be special,” she said.

Originally published as Breanca Atherton speaks out over Koumala fatal crash driver Debbie Lee Hudson