The mum of an NRL star charged over a head-on crash that claimed three lives has been left ‘devastated’ over the tragedy and still ‘isn’t well’ as she battles serious injuries in hospital.
Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua, 46, the mum of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, remains in hospital under police guard with extensive internal injuries and bruised lungs four days after her black Mercedes allegedly smashed into a silver Mercedes in Bonogin on the Gold Coast hinterland on Friday.
Susan Zimmer, 70, her partner Chris Fawcett, 79, and Ms Zimmer’s daughter Steffanie, 35, died in the fiery crash while sole survivor Taufua had to be dragged from her Mercedes wagon before she was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Taufua was charged with three counts of manslaughter on Monday, hours after she allegedly refused to be interviewed by police from her hospital bed.
She was also charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evading police and driving without a licence.
Her matter was briefly mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday where she was represented by her high-profile lawyer Leah Johnson.
Sole crash survivor Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua (pictured in 2019) is devastated over the ‘tragic event’
Flanked by Taufua’s husband and brother leaving court, Ms Johnson said her client would remain in police custody if she was released from hospital before her bail application next week.
‘I’m not sure about (when she will be released) – the doctors haven’t told me that,’ Ms Johnson told reporters outside court.
‘It’s a really tragic event for everybody, and Ms Taufua is devastated that people have died as a result of it.’
It comes as more details emerged about the moments leading up to the tragedy.
Detectives said they’ve been able to ‘paint a picture’ of what allegedly happened through CCTV and eyewitness accounts.
Police will allege Taufua was driving erratically at high speed in the ‘preceding 10 minutes of the crash’ before she allegedly veered onto the wrong side of the road.
Officers had turned on their lights and sirens in the minutes before Taufau crashed but did not instigate a chase due to public safety.
Steffanie Zimmer (left) and her mum Susan Zimmer (right)
Taufua’s lawyer Leah Johnson told reporters outside court her client is devastated three people lost their lives
‘Police are alleging (Taufua’s) vehicle was driven in an extremely dangerous manner on the wrong side of the road at high speed,’ Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Procter told reporters on Monday.
‘Police activated lights and sirens and when she accelerated and police followed procedure and pulled over.’
Police pulled into a church carpark to file a report.
Det Sen Sgt Procter said officers were then advised Taufau’s car had been involved in a crash 1km further up the road one minute later.
‘We have seized a lot of CCTV and painted a picture of what happened,’ he said.
Taufua’s licence was allegedly suspended at the time after she recently served a month’s jail time for assaulting two security guards at Star Gold Coast casino.
Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua remains in hospital under police guard after she was pulled from a burning black Mercedes wagon (pictured)
Plans are underway to hold a community vigil for the three victims who lost their lives (pictured, tributes placed by locals at the crash scene)
Meanwhile, Claudine Snow is still reeling over the death of her mum, stepfather and sister.
‘I just have to accept what happened,’ Ms Snow told Nine News on Monday.
‘I don’t have any hatred in my heart.’
Bonogin residents have set up a tribute for the victims at the crash site and are planning to hold a community candlelight vigil at a local park in the coming days.
Ms Snow paid tribute to the community for their overwhelming support.
Claudine Snow (pictured at the crash site on Sunday) lost her mum, sister and stepfather
Retired skin cancer specialist Chris Fawcett (pictured) also died in the Bonogin crash
‘Seeing strangers showing their support has been really helpful throughout the grieving process,’ Ms Snow said.
Taufua will appear in court on January 11 for a bail application.
Witnesses and anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the crash or moments leading up to it are being urged to come forward.
CCTV has emerged of the black Mercedes wagon Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua was allegedly driving speeding moments before the tragedy
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