The mother of Brisbane Broncos star forward Payne Haas, who police allege caused a fatal crash on the Gold Coast, is “devastated”, her lawyer has said.
Manslaughter charges against Uiatu “Joan” Taufua were heard in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The 46-year-old was the sole survivor of a two-car crash in which three others were killed at Bonogin on December 30.
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Her lawyer Leigh Johnson, best known for representing one of the killers of Anita Cobby, spoke on her client’s case, alongside Ms Taufua’s husband and her brother. “It’s a really tragic event for everybody,” Ms Johnson told Nine News. “Ms Taufua is devastated that people have died because of this.” Ms Taufua has been charged with three counts of manslaughter, among a string of other charges relating to the collision. She remains in police custody in Gold Coast University Hospital with an arm injury sustained in the crash. Meanwhile, an online fundraising campaign has been set-up by the daughter of one of the victims in Friday’s crash. Claudine Snow is aiming to raise $75,000 to cover the funeral expenses for her mother Susan Zimmer, stepfather Christopher Fawcett, and sister Steffanie. “They all died a horrific death. My whole world has been turned upside down,” wrote Ms Snow on the GoFundMe page. “I want to give my family members the funeral service they deserve,” said Ms Snow, “I have limited financial means and I am in the reluctant position of asking our wonderful community for assistance.” The fundraising page was launched early on Tuesday afternoon, and in its first hours saw a number of donations in excess of $100.
