Perth Doctor Facing Manslaughter Charge Now Hit With Additional Driving Offences
Perth obstetrician Rhys Bellinge, already facing a manslaughter charge over the fatal crash that killed 24-year-old Elizabeth Pearce in Dalkeith in February, is now facing four new charges related to separate driving incidents days before the tragedy.
Dr Bellinge was allegedly driving a high-performance sedan that collided with a rideshare vehicle on Birdwood Parade on Saturday, February 15. Ms Pearce lost her life in the crash, and police allege Dr Bellinge was speeding at 130 km/h at the time and returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.183.
Initially denied bail at a hospital bedside hearing in February, Dr Bellinge is now accused of several serious driving offences that allegedly took place the previous Sunday, February 9.
Police say he exceeded the speed limit by more than 45 km/h on three occasions that evening. At 8:05 pm, he allegedly drove at 119 km/h in a 70 km/h zone on Thomas Street in Subiaco. Five minutes later, he was reportedly clocked at 112 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on Winthrop Avenue in Nedlands.
At around 8:20 pm, he is alleged to have driven on the wrong side of the road on May Drive in Kings Park. Then, at about 8:30 pm, police claim he reached 103 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on Victoria Avenue in Dalkeith.
As a result, the 45-year-old has now been charged by the Major Crash unit with three counts of exceeding the speed limit by more than 45 km/h, and one count of dangerous driving.
Dr Bellinge is scheduled to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on June 5.
