Fresh twist facing NRL star’s mum over horror crash that claimed three lives
- Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua faces lawsuit from family of man killed in crash
- Three people were killed in a collision between two cars in December 2022
- Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua is the mother of Broncos forward Payne Haas
The mother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas has been hit with two lawsuits from the family of one of the people killed in a 2022 car crash involving the vehicle she was driving.
Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua was the sole survivor of a two-car collision at Bonogin in the Gold Coast outback on December 30, 2022.
Susan Zimmer, 70, her partner Chris Fawcett, 79, and Zimmer’s 35-year-old daughter Steffanie were in the second car, a silver Mercedes.
All three died in the terrible accident.
Following the accident, Ms Taufau, 48, was charged with three counts of manslaughter, as well as one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evading police and driving without a licence.
In March 2023, she was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Now, News Corp it emerges that two of Mr Fawcett’s children have filed a claim in the High Court against Taufua and the insurer AAI.
Both claims were filed in August, but their details are currently confidential.
Payne Haas’ mother, Uiatu “Joan” Taufua (pictured during a court appearance), is facing two lawsuits from the family of one of the people killed in a car crash for which she is criminally charged.
Pictured: Emergency services attend the crash involving Taufua, which killed Susan Zimmer, 70, her partner Chris Fawcett, 79, and Mrs Zimmer’s daughter Steffanie.
Mr Fawcett’s children posted a message on social media shortly after the tragic accident about the loss of their father.
“We would have liked to see you and say goodbye. We felt cheated, because your visit was so close,” they wrote.
“We are heartbroken that we just missed the opportunity to spend time with him and that we will never be able to see him again.
“We are grateful for the recent phone calls and for Susie finally teaching Dad how to use text messages. It has allowed us to be in much more contact over the past year.
‘He played chess online with his youngest grandchildren and unfortunately the last game is still not finished.
Chris Fawcett’s children have filed a High Court claim against Taufua
Payne Haas (pictured with the ball for NSW in the second match of this year’s State of Origin series) has continued to play his football despite the serious allegations facing his mother
“We sincerely hope that Dad has found peace and comfort with his daughter Edyn, who was given angel wings as a child, and with his partner Susie.”
Lawyers for Payne Haas’ mother are also helping his father, who faces a possible death penalty after being arrested in the Philippines on alleged drug trafficking charges.
Gregor Haas, 47, was arrested in May on suspicion of an alleged ice smuggling scheme linked to the Mexican drug cartel Sinaloa.