An obstetrician who allegedly crashed his high-powered car at 130km/h while almost four times over the legal alcohol limit has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Perth obstetrician Rhys Henry Stone Bellinge, 45, on Wednesday admitted the manslaughter of Elizabeth Pearce on February 15.
The 24-year-old was an Uber passenger in a Honda Jazz hatchback struck by Bellinge’s blue Jaguar sedan in Perth’s leafy riverside suburb of Dalkeith.
The father of two also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol over the injuries to Muhammad Usman.
The 25-year-old Uber driver suffered two broken legs and arm injuries in the collision.
Bellinge, who has reportedly struggled in custody while on remand, appeared via video link from Casuarina maximum-security prison.
Wearing a prison-issued green tracksuit, Bellinge was sullen as he confirmed he understood the charges before entering a guilty plea to each charge in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court.
A charge of driving under the influence of alcohol was discontinued by the court at the prosecution’s request.
Elizabeth Pearce, 24, was a passenger in an Uber when her life was abruptly cut short
Perth obstetrician Rhys Henry Stone Bellinge (pictured) pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Wednesday
The Uber was struck by Bellinge’s blue Jaguar sedan in the leafy riverside suburb of Dalkeith in February. Pictured is the crash scene
Bellinge’s wealthy father, Bruce Bellinge, was in the court to hear his son’s pleas.
The court was previously told Bellinge had been drinking while watching football on television at his father’s home before he climbed into his high-powered car and attempted to drive home about 10pm.
Dashcam footage showed Bellinge’s car reached a speed of about 130km/h before the driver lost control, crossed to the wrong side of the road, and collided with the Honda.
Ms Pearce later died in hospital from her injuries.
Bellinge allegedly had a blood alcohol reading of 0.183 and was recorded apologising after the crash at the scene.
He suffered spinal injuries in the incident and had been experiencing ‘mental upset’ following his recent marriage breakdown.
Other dashcam footage previously played to the court showed Bellinge driving at speeds above 100km/h in a 40km zone days before the crash that killed Ms Pearce.
Rhys Bellinge (pictured) remains in custody as he awaits sentencing next year
Uber driver Muhammad Usman was seriously injured in the fatal crash
Bellinge also allegedly recorded yelling vitriolic profanities about his estranged wife on the night of the crash and in another recording.
He was denied bail during a hospital bed court hearing in the weeks after Ms Pearce was killed and could be heard crying and sobbing over an audio link.
Bellinge’s case returns to court on February 24 for a committal mention ahead of sentencing.
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Bombshell admission from high profile doctor who killed a young Uber passenger while drunk behind the wheel of his luxury Jaguar