Rhyse Robert Hawkins: Driver accused of killing beloved grandmother in late night Rivervale crash fronts court

A 36-year-old man accused of killing a sleeping grandmother after allegedly ploughing his car through a bedroom wall has faced court for the first time. Rhyse Robert Hawkins fronted Northbridge Magistrates Court from behind glass on Sunday charged with unlawful killing under circumstances as not to constitute murder and criminal damage or destruction of property over the alleged incident on Alexander Road, in Rivervale, on Friday night. Police allege Mr Hawkins was driving a yellow Ford Falcon that veered off the road and smashed into the rental property about 11.40pm, killing 53-year-old Bishnu Kumari Gurung on impact. Mr Hawkins’ defence counsel said her client was unable to raise surety, and asked the matter be adjourned until later this month. Magistrate Belinda Coleman adjourned the matter to Stirling Gardens for a bail application on February 18. Mr Hawkins was supported by four loved ones, who did not answer questions from waiting media outside court. The Alexander Road property was eerily silent on Sunday morning, with a bunch of flowers left at the front door a reminder of the tragedy. There were no police in the area, but a metal fence covered in black material and red and yellow DFES tape surrounded the hole in the wall and rubble. A sheet of plywood covered the point of impact. Danger tape was also strung across the adjourning fence between the neighbouring property where it appears the car drove through. Ms Gurang — known to her friends and family as Himali — had been visiting from Nepal with her husband to spend time with family. She was staying with her daughter, Srijana Gurung, and her son-in-law’s rental property when the tragedy unfolded. Ms Gurang’s family — who have since launched a GoFundMe — described the 53-year-old as a “truly remarkable woman who was full of life, kindness, warmth, and unconditional love.” “She always put others before herself and lived her life with compassion and generosity,” the family said in a statement. “She was the heart and soul of our family, our greatest source of strength, comfort, and laughter. “Her sudden passing has left an unimaginable void in our lives that words can hardly express.” Nepali Association of Western Australia president Navin Bhandari said the tragedy had sent shockwaves through WA’s Nepalise community. “We feel really saddened about what has happened, it is hard to put it into words,” he said. “Its really tragic, tragic news ... she was a really bubbly and happy woman. “Its a tragic loss and as a community we are grieving and will help the family in all possible ways.” A 73-year-old neighbour, who witnessed the aftermath of the crash, described the impact as sounding like a “bomb”. “I had just been home for 10 or 15 minutes and I heard a noise, a big boom,” he told reporters on Saturday. “I have never heard anything like this except in the movies. “I slowly, slowly walked out my house because I was frightened and I saw the car halfway through the house.” He said the family emerged from the damaged home in a state of panic and grief. “The family all came out and they were crying because the mum was still in the room,” he said. “And they knew, you could see, she wasn’t going to come out.”