Dalkeith crash: Accused killer remains in jail as heartbroken family announce funeral of Elizabeth Pearce

The heartbroken loved ones of a young woman who was allegedly killed by a drink-driving and speeding obstetrician in the western suburbs are preparing to lay her to rest. Elizabeth Pearce, 24, was killed when a Jaguar driven by Rhys Bellinge, who is from one of Perth’s richest families, allegedly ploughed into the Uber she was in on Dalkeith’s Birdwood Parade on February 15. A funeral notice in The West Australian at the weekend revealed Ms Pearce will be farewelled at a funeral mass at St Joseph’s Church in Subiaco on March 6. More than a week after the death of the Woodside intern and University of WA graduate, mourners continued to visit the crash site on Sunday, laying flowers and paying their respects. Mosman Park resident Sue, who did not want her surname used, told The West she had been thinking about Ms Pearce and her family “a lot” as she laid a floral tribute. She said she did not know Ms Pearce, but felt “very saddened” for her and her family, particularly as she had daughters of a similar age. Dozens of floral tributes have been left at the tree, which has also adorned with colourful hanging butterfly ornaments and touching handwritten messages alongside colourful bouquets. “We are so sad to say farewell dear Liz,” one note read. “RIP, bless you,” read another. “Thinking of you every day. Rest in peace,” another mourner wrote. In a statement in the wake of her death, Ms Pearce’s family said their “world is shattered”. “Our beautiful, bright girl brought sunshine to our lives and we are now in darkness,” they said. Dr Bellinge is charged with manslaughter over Ms Pearce’s death and aggravated dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm over the serious injuries suffered by Uber driver Muhammad Usman. Mr Usman — who broke both legs and an arm — remained in a serious but stable condition at Royal Perth Hospital on Sunday. Meanwhile, Dr Bellinge, who suffered spinal injuries, was being treated in Casuarina Prison’s infirmary after he was denied bail in Perth Magistrates Court last week. He is alleged to have been driving at 130km/h while being almost four times over the legal drink-drive limit before the crash. More confronting allegations emerged on Saturday when police issued a public plea for more witnesses who saw the blue Jaguar in the lead-up to the horror collision to come forward. They include claims Dr Bellinge was in his car for up to 20 minutes before it collided with Mr Usman’s white Honda Jazz, with his erratic driving starting about 10pm after he drove past his father’s multi-million-dollar mansion on Jutland Parade. Based on dash-cam vision, police say Dr Bellinge then drove along Birdwood Parade before turning right onto The Avenue, where his estranged wife Juli lives. The car then made a left turn on to Broadway, turned left on to Stirling Highway, and then took a left on to Bruce Street before veering right onto Birdwood Parade moments before the crash. “At this point in time, our assessment of the evidence we’ve collected already is the blue Jaguar was travelling well in excess of a 50km/h speed limit,” Det-Sgt Thomas Grieve said on Saturday. “He’s entered a right-hand bend from Bruce Street that leads into Birdwood Parade. In court last week, prosecutors alleged Dr Bellinge was recorded on dash-cam days before the crash driving around Kings Park at night, at one point reaching speeds of up to 108km/h. He was allegedly heard saying: “This car is amazing, it’s superpowered.” Refusing bail, Magistrate Clare Cullen said she found the risk posed to the community was “too great”. Dr Bellinge has the option to take his bid for bail to the WA Supreme Court, however his legal team has not revealed if they have taken instructions to do so. There is no timeline for making an application for a higher court to hear the case. The obstetrician is next listed to appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on March 19.

Dalkeith crash: Accused killer remains in jail as heartbroken family announce funeral of Elizabeth Pearce

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