Dalkeith fatal crash: Complaints of speeding traffic just weeks prior to crash that killed Elizabeth Pearce

Elizabeth Pearce died after the rideshare she had just got into was allegedly struck by the doctor’s Jaguar on Saturday.

Fears of vehicles speeding through the western suburbs were raised in a council meeting just weeks before Saturday’s fatal crash in Dalkeith, Perth, that claimed the life of a 24-year-old.

Elizabeth Pearce died after the rideshare she had just got into was allegedly struck by Dr Rhys Henry Stone Bellinge’s Jaguar on Birdwood Parade in Dalkeith about 10.15pm on Saturday.

The Perth Magistrates Court was told Dr Bellinge had allegedly been driving from his wife’s home on The Avenue to his father’s house on Jutland Parade at speeds of up to 130km/h when the horror crash happened.

The City of Perth was told at its electors’ general meeting on January 28 that The Avenue was being used as a “speedway” by some drivers, PerthNow reported.

Crawley resident Grey Roughan told the meeting The Avenue between Hackett Drive and Fairway had “unacceptable” traffic.

“Particularly late evening for groups of motorbikes and also for very noisy cars,” he said.

“It carries heavy construction traffic for building sites further down in the town.”

City of Perth acting general manager of planning and sustainability Rob Farley said a raised intersection the city had installed along that stretch of road had been removed because of ongoing noise and maintenance issues.

Raised plateaus had been installed instead, which Mr Farley believed provided effective traffic management.

Dalkeith crash victim Elizabeth Pearce.

“The Avenue is a busy arterial road as you all know; it’s carrying over 5000 vehicles a day so while it’s not as direct as Stirling Highway, it does offer an appealing alternative to local drivers, particularly given the scenic route near the river,” he said.

“Our data shows that average speeds are generally well controlled, indicating responsible behaviour by drivers.

“The traffic data also shows a slightly higher presence of larger vehicles ... so it’s likely due, as you say, to the ongoing construction in the area and there are limited alternative routes available to them.”

Mr Farley said there had been three minor crashes in the past five years around Hackett Drive and Fairway and it was considered to have safe driving conditions.

“Additional traffic calming measures beyond those already implemented may lead to increased noise or congestion on nearby roads,” he said.

The response did not satisfy Mr Roughan.

“I would question statistics; they’re wonderful things and they produce answers that some people want,” he told the public meeting.

Dr Bellinge has been charged with manslaughter and dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm in circumstances of aggravation. He has not entered any please and was denied bail on Wednesday.

This story appeared in PerthNow and was republished with permission.

Originally published as Dalkeith fatal crash: Complaints of speeding traffic just weeks prior to crash that killed Elizabeth Pearce