Medical twist for Haas’ mum

Lawyers for a woman accused of causing a horrific Gold Coast hinterland crash which left three people dead have requested a psychiatric report on their client as a relative of the victims made an emotional appearance at court.

Uiatu “Joan” Taufua allegedly fled from a police patrol car on December 30 last year before ploughing into an oncoming vehicle just minutes later carrying Steffi Zimmer, her mother Susan Zimmer and her mother’s former partner Chris Fawcett.

All three died at the scene while Taufua, the crash’s sole survivor, was charged with manslaughter, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evade police and unlicensed driving.

A charge of mid-range drink driving was added at a subsequent court appearance in March. No plea has been entered.

Taufua is the mother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas and rising Gold Coast Titans player Klese.

There is no suggestion either of the Haas brothers had any involvement in the collision, nor is there any suggestion or allegation of wrongdoing on their part.

Police allege Taufua veered on to the wrong side of the road at high speed and collided with the car carrying Ms Zimmer and her family at Bonogin in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Taufua, who remains in custody on remand, was not present for a mention of the case at Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday, but Claudine Snow, who lost her sister Steffi and mum Susan in the crash, sat quietly in court supported by her husband.

Appearing for Taufua, Barrister Marty Longhurst, representing King’s Law Group, requested an adjournment so a psychiatric report could be compiled on his client.

He said there had been delays in getting a psychiatrist into the jail to visit Taufua.

“Welcome to bureaucracy,” replied Magistrate Kerry Magee.

Mr Longhurst told the court there would be “significant benefits” to the defence case in getting a psychiatric report before the case proceeded to the committal stage.

The case was adjourned until March 21.