Alicia Kemp, a 25-year-old British backpacker from Redditch, Worcestershire, has pleaded guilty in a Perth court to the charge of dangerous driving resulting in death, stemming from a tragic incident on May 6, 2023. The court heard that during a night out, Kemp, who was on a working holiday visa, had consumed alcohol before renting an e-scooter with a friend. The pair left the bar after being ejected due to their intoxication.
While riding the e-scooter, Kemp, who was reportedly found with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.158—more than three times Australia’s legal driving limit of 0.05—struck Thanh Phan, a 51-year-old father of two, as he stood on the pavement, waiting to cross the street. Mr. Phan sustained serious head injuries from the collision and died in a hospital two days later.
Kemp’s passenger also sustained injuries, including a fractured skull and broken nose, though these were not life-threatening. The court's review included CCTV footage that depicted Kemp’s reckless riding behavior leading up to the incident, described by prosecutors as "inexplicably dangerous."
In a statement issued earlier by Mr. Phan’s family, he was remembered fondly as a cherished husband and father. Kemp’s lawyer, Michael Tudori, stated that his client felt a sense of relief after accepting her plea and expressed hope for a speedy sentencing, aiming to resolve the situation before Christmas.
Kemp remains in custody pending her sentencing for the crime, which may carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. The prosecution also chose to drop a secondary charge surrounding the bodily harm caused to her passenger in light of the circumstances. The case underscores growing concerns regarding the safety of e-scooter use, particularly when combined with alcohol consumption, prompting renewed calls for stricter regulations and awareness campaigns.
