Elizabeth Pearce: Science fund to honour UWA student killed in crash on Birdwood Parade, Dalkeith

UWA’s top-performing master’s students studying marine biology will be given financial aid to attend a national conference in honour of Dalkeith crash victim Elizabeth Pearce. Ms Pearce was tragically killed after Rhys Bellinge’s speeding Jaguar allegedly veered onto the wrong side of the road and ploughed into her Uber on Birdwood Parade on February 15. The 24-year-old was studying a master’s degree in marine biology at the University of WA and was set to graduate later this year. The Elizabeth Pearce Marine Science Fund — which was set up by her family and UWA’s Ocean’s Institute in February in the wake of her death — has since raised $46,000. A university spokesperson said the fund would support two master’s students to attend the annual Australian Marine Sciences Association conference. “This opportunity is a significant stepping stone, offering award recipients a national forum to present their research in marine biology, and opening up potential collaborations, internships and future career pathways,” the spokesperson said. “The awards will be granted to the two highest-achieving students enrolled in the UWA Master of Marine Biology program who submit a research thesis.” UWA Oceans Institute associate professor Tim Langlois, who was Ms Pearce’s project supervisor, said the opportunity was a reflection of his former student’s “maturity and ambition”. “She understood the importance of making connections and forging new collaborations,” he said. Courtney Gray, who studied marine biology alongside Ms Pearce at UWA, said her friend had been keen to pursue a career in mining. “She was so switched on, motivated and funny,” she said. Speaking at his daughter’s funeral in March, Ms Pearce’s father, Andrew, said it was “just so hard to say goodbye”. “Please watch over us, and I know we’ll embrace each other in some better place someday,” he said. Dr Bellinge — an obstetrician at Concept Obstetrics and Gynaecology — was allegedly speeding at 130km/h and had almost four times the legal blood alcohol limit when he crashed into the Uber. Ms Pearce — the passenger in the rideshare — was critically injured and died in Royal Perth Hospital. The Pakistani-born Uber driver, Muhammad Usman, sustained two broken legs and a fractured arm and was placed in an induced coma before being moved out of intensive care on February 19. Dr Bellinge was charged with manslaughter and dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm in circumstances of aggravation. He is being held on remand at Casuarina Prison.