A Perth court has heard a prominent obstetrician accused of causing a fatal crash in Dalkeith at the weekend gave a blood alcohol reading more than three and a half times the legal limit. 24-year-old Elizabeth Pearce was killed in the crash, with mourners leaving flowers at the scene.
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00:00Dr Rhys Bellinge was behind the wheel of this sedan when it struck a white hatchback on
00:06Birdwood Parade in Netherlands on Saturday night.
00:10The hatchback was being used as a rideshare vehicle and its passenger, a 24-year-old woman,
00:14was killed.
00:15Its driver remains in Royal Perth Hospital's intensive care unit.
00:19The 45-year-old doctor has been charged with manslaughter and dangerous driving causing
00:23grievous bodily harm in circumstances of aggravation.
00:26He faced the Perth Magistrates Court via audio link from his hospital bed, with police
00:31prosecutors alleging he'd been driving dangerously in the lead-up to the crash.
00:35Its alleged dashcam vision from his vehicle showed him reaching speeds of 130kmh through
00:41Netherlands and Dalkeith and running a red light.
00:44The court was told Dr Bellinge returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.183 immediately
00:49after the crash.
00:50It's further alleged he told police on the night he'd been drinking but was unable to
00:54see properly because he'd been crying and the tears had blurred his vision.
00:57Defence counsel Tony Hagar said his client had recently separated from his wife and was
01:02emotionally troubled.
01:03Mr Hagar told the court while the charges were serious, it was not uncommon for bail
01:07to be granted in similar cases.
01:10Prosecutors opposed bail, arguing Dr Bellinge posed a serious flight risk because of his
01:14family's extreme wealth.
01:16The Magistrate will decide on bail on Tuesday after reviewing the dashcam footage.
01:21Late today, a statement from the victim's family.
01:24Our world is shattered.
01:26Our beautiful, bright girl brought sunshine to our lives and we are now in darkness.
01:31We ask that you respect our privacy at this heartbreaking time.