Perth Doctor Sentenced to 10 Years for Fatal High-Speed Crash
A Perth obstetrician has been jailed for 10 years and six months after causing a fatal high-speed crash that killed a young woman, with dashcam footage revealing his vitriolic rant moments before the collision. Rhys Henry Stone Bellinge, 46, pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing Elizabeth Pearce, 24, while driving his supercharged Jaguar in the riverside suburb of Dalkeith on February 15, 2025.
Intoxicated Driving and Dashcam Evidence
The father of two was recorded with a blood alcohol reading of 0.183 shortly after the crash, nearly four times the legal limit. He had consumed rum, wine, and beer while watching football in the hours leading up to the incident around 10.13pm. Dashcam footage played in the Western Australian Supreme Court showed Bellinge yelling profanities about his estranged wife before accelerating away from his former family home.
"I hate you ... You're a piece of shit ... That is my house ... You're robbing me," he was heard saying, followed by speeding through dark suburban streets, tailgating vehicles, and shouting at other drivers in a fit of road rage.
Details of the Crash and Aftermath
Seconds before impact, Bellinge's Jaguar, traveling at approximately 130km/h, failed to negotiate a bend and collided with an Uber Honda Jazz traveling in the opposite direction. Elizabeth Pearce, a passenger in the Uber, later died in hospital from her injuries. The Uber driver, Muhammad Usman, then 25, suffered two broken legs and arm injuries, attending court with a walking stick.
Bellinge also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm for Usman's injuries and admitted to reckless driving and speeding in the days prior. He suffered spinal injuries in the crash and was described as behaving "oddly" due to depression and self-medication with alcohol and prescription drugs following his separation.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Prosecutor Justin Whalley argued that Bellinge's car was an "unguided missile" due to his intoxication and speeding. Defence lawyer David Grace acknowledged the "horrendous and tragic" crash, citing Bellinge's mental health struggles, including anxiety, insomnia, and blackouts. Justice Amanda Forrester expressed doubt over Bellinge's claim of limited recollection, sentencing him to a decade behind bars for the unlawful killing.
