The criminal case against the mother of a star Brisbane Broncos player facing manslaughter charges over a horrific crash that killed three people remains in “limbo” as she awaits further psychiatric tests.
Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua, the mother of Broncos forward Payne Haas, was the only survivor of a two-car collision at Bonogin in the Gold Coast hinterland on December 30, 2022, which left three people dead.
Susan Zimmer, 70, her partner Chris Fawcett, 79, and Zimmer’s daughter Steffanie, 35, were traveling in the second car, a silver Mercedes, and both died at the scene.
The 48-year-old woman has also been charged with one count of dangerous driving of a motor vehicle, evading police and driving without a licence.
Later, in March of last year, she was charged with driving under the influence.
A judge criticizes the slowness of the court hearing involving Uiatu Taufua
Mother of NRL superstar Payne Haas faces manslaughter charges
Ms Taufua’s matter was briefly mentioned before Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday.
The court was told her Sydney legal team, Kings Law Group, had arranged a psychiatric assessment in March to determine whether Ms Taufua should be referred to mental health tribunal.
However, Kings Law Group’s city agent said the appointed psychiatrist was going to “require further assessment” of Ms Taufua and “some consultation” with her family about her mental capacity.
Upon learning that no date had been set for these new consultations, Justice Kerry McGee intervened saying “no, no, no.”
Ms McGee said the case had gone on too long and she needed to know the date of the next inquiry.
“I’m not waiting, this has been going on for too long and these charges need to progress, and they’re not progressing that way,” he said.
The court was told the delay in reporting was because the appointed psychiatrist had gone on leave after his first consultation with Ms Taufua.
Ms McGee said there had been enough time to make the reports after the medical assessment was ordered in October last year.
“This has been postponed for that purpose since October of last year, and that is completely unacceptable,” he said.
‘I assume she has capacity (and) unless there is evidence to the contrary, I will proceed accordingly.
“This issue has been in limbo for too long.”
Ms McGee ordered the matter be adjourned until July 11 to allow reports to be finalized and Kings Law Group to make any applications necessary for the case to progress.
Police allege Ms Taufua was driving “dangerously” on Bonogin Rd, near Calanthe Lane, just before 5pm on the evening of the fatal crash.
Police allege Haas’ mother was driving ‘dangerous’ before fatal crash
Police allegedly pursued her black 2017 Mercedes pickup truck before calling off the chase after she allegedly fled the area.
Moments later, those same police officers were notified of a crash involving two cars about a kilometer ahead.
Emergency services were able to free the three family members from their silver Mercedes, but they both died at the scene.
Ms Taufua was freed from her black Mercedes after it caught fire.
Additionally, it will be alleged in court that Ms Taufua was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
She was taken to the hospital but then police arrested her.
Ms Taufua did not appear at Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday as she remains on remand at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre.
He has not yet submitted any formal statement.
There is no suggestion that Mr Haas was involved in the accident.