Perth obstetrician Rhys Henry Stone Bellinge, 45, is facing a manslaughter charge over the death of Elizabeth Pearce.
The 24-year-old was a passenger in a Honda Jazz hatchback struck by his blue Jaguar sedan on Saturday night in the riverside suburb of Dalkeith.
The father of two is also accused of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm in circumstances of aggravation over serious leg and arm injuries the hatchback’s driver suffered.
Magistrate Clare Cullen denied Bellinge bail today, saying that after reviewing dashcam footage from his vehicle he posed a potential risk to the community.
She highlighted Bellinge’s “mental upset” following his recent marriage breakdown and said the prosecution had an exceptionally strong case.
“When under emotional upset there is a real risk of reckless behaviour being committed against the community,” she told Perth Magistrates Court.
“The risk to the community is too great.”
The court was told Bellinge had been drinking while watching football on television at his father’s home before he climbed into this Jag and attempted to drive home about 10pm.
Cullen said the dashcam footage showed Bellinge’s car reached a speed of about 130km/h before the driver lost control and crossed to the wrong side of the road and collided with the Honda.
Pearce later died in hospital and the injured man, understood to be an Uber driver, is in a serious but stable condition following multiple surgeries for his two broken legs.
Bellinge allegedly had a blood alcohol reading of 0.183 and was recorded apologising after the crash, the court heard.
Cullen said the alleged aggressive driving was not an isolated incident for Bellinge and dashcam footage showed he had driven at speeds above 100km/h in a 40 zone on another day.
“That vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic … the driver laughs and says the other vehicles are cowards,” she said before adding Bellinge also commented that his Jag was “amazing” and “superpowered”.
Cullen also referred to Bellinge’s yelling and vitriolic profanities about his estranged wife, which were recorded on the night of the crash and in another recording, saying he was suffering mental upset following separation from wife and potentially alcohol issues.
Bellinge could be heard crying and sobbing over an audio link from his hospital bed after Cullen denied him bail.
He suffered spinal injuries in the crash but is expected to make a full recovery.
His lawyer Tony Hager had offered a $1 million surety if bail was secured along with “onerous” conditions, including surrendering his passport, psychological counselling and a curfew.
Police on Monday released a statement from Pearce’s family.
“Our world is shattered,” it said.
“Our beautiful, bright girl brought sunshine to our lives and we are now in darkness. We ask that you respect our privacy at this heartbreaking time.”
Bellinge’s case returns to court on March 19.
