Huge court move for NRL star’s mum
Written by admin on November 27, 2024
A woman who lost her mother and sister in a horrific triple fatal crash has spoken out about the family’s “difficulty” in facing down their alleged killer at court.
Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, the mother of Brisbane Broncos forward Payne Haas, was the sole survivor of the crash in the Gold Coast hinterland region back in December 2022.
Police allege Ms Taufua was behind the wheel of a black 2017 Mercedes wagon which collided with two other cars in Bonogin just before 5pm on December 30 that year.
The crash killed Susan Zimmer, 70, her partner Chris Fawcett, 79, and Ms Zimmer’s 35-year-old daughter Steffanie.
On Wednesday, Ms Taufua was committed to stand trial in the Supreme Court on three counts of manslaughter.
A large crowd of the family’s supporters, in addition to family and supporters of Ms Taufua, packed Southport Magistrates Court during her committal hearing.
Ms Taufua herself was dressed in a leopard-spotted shirt and waved and smiled at her friends in the public gallery.
Asked by Magistrate Jane Bentley if she wanted to say anything in response to the committal, Ms Taufua answered “No, Your Honour”.
There were 34 witness statements tendered to the court.
Outside court, a tearful Claudine Snow said it was a “difficult” moment coming face-to-face with her mother and sister’s alleged killer in court.
“I just want to thank everybody for their support,” she said.
“It’s a distressing day. I need to see the process through for my family.”
Senior Constable Patrick McDonald, a serving police officer who conducted the speed analysis on the crash, was the sole witness called to give evidence during the proceedings.
He told the court he calculated Ms Taufua’s alleged speed from camera footage, which captured her car travelling along the road.
Barrister Martin Longhurst asked Constable McDonald if he accounted for parallax errors in his estimations that may have arisen in his analysis,
Mr Longhurst asked if there was any error in the speed he arrived at.
“All I can say is there’s always the potential for some error, and I believe that’s been accounted for,” Constable McDonald answered.
“It’s purely just the car for the reference point, and the car after the reference point.”
He continued by saying there was no difference if the camera device was set up further, and if it would account for a different speed.
Mr Longhurst said his client conceded there was a prima facie case against her, following the cross examination.
Ms Taufua was committed to stand trial on the three manslaughter charges, while her other charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evading police, driving without a licence and drink driving were adjourned to June 10.
Police allege Ms Taufua was seen by officers driving “dangerously” along Bonogin Rd near Calanthe Lane just before 5pm.
A pursuit was abandoned after Ms Taufua allegedly fled.
Moments later, the same officers were notified of a crash involving two cars about a kilometre down the road.
Emergency services were able to free the Zimmers and Mr Fawcett from their vehicle, but all three died at the scene.
The committal follows lengthy delays at the Magistrates Court, with Ms Taufua changing legal representation multiple times and delays with medical and psychiatric evidence.
Ms Taufua remains in custody on remand and no application for bail was made.
In a memorial to her sister and mother in early 2023, Ms Snow said growing up with Susan and Steffanie was like “the three amigos”
She remembered her mum always having a “magic smile” despite her tough upbringing.
“Susan endures many obstacles but possessed immense talent and an even fiercer resolve,” Ms Snow said to the packed crowd at Bill Deacon Pavilion at Mudgeeraba Showgrounds.
She paid tribute to her mother’s love of roller skating, revealing she performed the splits in front of her friends as a way to “show off”.
