Rhys Bellinge: Case of obstetrician charged over horror Dalkeith crash that killed Elizabeth Pearce languishes

The case of an obstetrician accused of killing a young woman in a drunken, high-speed crash in Dalkeith continues to languish, with his lawyer still getting instructions. Rhys Bellinge was charged with manslaughter over the death of Elizabeth Pearce, 24, in the horror smash in February. The 45-year-old is also charged with dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm in circumstances of aggravation after the marine science student’s Uber driver Muhammad Usman, 25, was critically injured. Dr Bellinge remains behind bars after his bail was refused when he first appeared in court in a bedside hearing from hospital, where he was treated for spinal injuries before being transferred to a prison infirmary. He has had several adjournments by consent between defence counsel and the prosecution, meaning he has not even had to appear in court via videolink. At his latest hearing on Wednesday, Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court was told a further delay would enable his lawyer to obtain further instructions. The case will return to the same court on August 20. Dr Bellinge has not entered pleas to the two charges and a third charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. A preliminary blood alcohol test allegedly read 0.183 — almost four times the legal limit. Police allege that Dr Bellinge lost control of his luxury car, causing it to veer onto the wrong side of the road at speed before smashing into Mr Usman’s Honda Jazz on Birdwood Parade. Dr Bellinge was allegedly driving from the Nedlands home of his estranged wife to the home of his billionaire father — a distance of 1.5km. The Medical Board of Australia has suspended his medical registration. Days after the tragedy, an online fundraiser to help Mr Usman rebuild his life exceeded its target, gathering more than $114,000.