Mother of NRL star Payne Haas ordered to stand trial over fatal crash

The family of three people allegedly killed in a crash by NRL star Payne Haas’ mother has vowed to “see it through” after the case was sent to trial.

Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, 48, was ordered on Wednesday to stand trial for manslaughter almost two years after the fatal two car collision, sparking emotional scenes from the victims’ loved ones outside court.

Uiatu “Joan” Taufua is the mother of Brisbane Broncos and NSW State of Origin star player Payne Haas.Credit: Nine News/Getty Images

Taufua is accused of driving into an incoming vehicle on a narrow road in the Gold Coast hinterland on December 30, 2022.

Susan Zimmer, 70, her partner Chris Fawcett, 79, and her daughter Steffanie, 35, died in the collision.

Taufua, the mother of Brisbane Broncos forward and NSW State of Origin star player Payne and Gold Coast Titans rising star Klese Haas, was the crash’s sole survivor.

She was charged with a string of offences including three counts of manslaughter.

Susan Zimmer’s daughter Claudine Snow on Wednesday was comforted by loved ones outside Southport Magistrates Court, saying the hearing had been a “very difficult moment”.

But Snow said she had got the outcome she wanted with Taufua to face trial.

“I need to see the process through for my family. It’s something I need to do for them and for myself,” she said.

“I owe it to them to see it through, as hard as it may be.”

Taufua was on parole at the time of the crash after being sentenced to nine months in prison for assaulting two security guards at The Star Casino.

She was subsequently returned to custody after the collision.

Taufua on Wednesday appeared in the dock behind glass while under guard by two police officers, wearing a black and gold dress with matching large frame glasses.

She smiled at her family and supporters as they entered the court.

After a 30-minute committal hearing, Taufua’s barrister Martin Longhurst told Magistrate Jane Bentley that his client conceded she had a prima facie case to answer.

“The matter will have to go to the Supreme Court in Brisbane,” Longhurst said.

The magistrate ordered Taufua to stand trial in Brisbane on a date to be fixed, asking her if she wanted to say anything or enter a plea.

“No, Your Honour,” Taufua said.

Crown prosecutor Samantha Dutschke had earlier called Senior Constable Patrick McDonald as witness for the committal hearing.

He testified that he had 20 years’ experience in the forensic crash unit and had prepared a speed analysis for the incident.

Longhurst cross-examined the police officer about whether his attempt to determine the speed of Taufua’s vehicle from CCTV footage could have contained an error due to the camera being mounted two metres higher above ground than his forensic equipment.

“There’s always potential for some error, but I believe that has been accounted for,” the officer said.

Taufua was remanded in custody and her remaining charges will be mentioned at Southport Magistrates Court in June next year.

AAP

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