A high-profile Perth obstetrician, Rhys Bellinge, has been accused of being drunk and speeding when his Jaguar crashed into an Uber, killing a young woman.
The incident occurred in the affluent suburb of Dalkeith, in the city’s west.
The Accident Unfolds
According to police, Bellinge’s blue Jaguar hit the Honda Jazz that 24-year-old Elizabeth Pearce was a passenger in.
The accident happened after Bellinge allegedly crossed onto the wrong side of Birdswood Parade, reaching speeds of up to 130km/h and running red lights.
This reckless nine-minute drive ended in tragedy, taking the life of an innocent young woman.
The Investigation
Bellinge, 45, has been charged with manslaughter and fronted court from hospital. He allegedly blew 0.183 on his initial breath test, which is more than three times the legal limit.
The court heard that Bellinge was emotional after recently separating from his wife and had “tears in his eyes”, which his lawyer claimed impaired his ability to see the road.
Bail Hearing
The lawyer pushed for bail, describing Bellinge as an “upstanding citizen” who had been driven to reckless behavior by his personal circumstances.
However, prosecutors argued that Bellinge’s driving was “arrogant, aggressive and intentional”, and expressed concerns about his wife’s safety after hearing comments about her on the dash cam footage.
They also worried that Bellinge, who comes from a wealthy family, could flee the country if granted bail.
Who is Rhys Bellinge?
Bellinge is a well-known obstetrician who has been described as a pioneer in freezing human eggs. He performed Western Australia’s first embryo biopsy for genetic testing in 2005.
His patients have been informed that he will be unavailable “due to unforeseen circumstances”.
What’s Next?
The magistrate has delayed a decision on bail until tomorrow, pending a review of the dash cam footage.
The community is left to wonder how someone with such a promising career and reputation could be involved in such a tragic incident.
As the investigation continues, one thing is certain – the life of a young woman was lost due to reckless behavior, and justice must be served.