British Backpacker Sentenced for Fatal E-Scooter Crash in Perth

A British backpacker received a four-year prison sentence after causing the death of a father-of-two in an e-scooter accident in Perth, Australia. On December 12, 2023, Alicia Kemp, 25, was convicted of dangerous driving causing death while under the influence of alcohol. The tragic incident took place on May 31, 2023, when Kemp, while riding an e-scooter, struck Thanh Phan, a 51-year-old structural engineer, who was waiting to cross the road.

The court heard that Kemp had been drinking with a friend earlier that day, leading to their removal from a local bar due to intoxication. Later that evening, the two hired an e-scooter, during which Kemp was recorded riding at speeds between 12 to 15 mph. CCTV footage revealed her “inexplicably dangerous” behavior just prior to the collision. Mr. Phan succumbed to his injuries two days later, suffering a fatal brain bleed from the impact.

Kemp’s friend, who was a passenger on the e-scooter, also sustained serious injuries, including a fractured skull and a broken nose. Kemp herself required treatment for minor injuries resulting from the crash. The court noted that Kemp’s blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit in Australia when the accident occurred.

In the aftermath of the incident, Mr. Phan’s family expressed their grief, describing him as a beloved husband, father, brother, and dear friend. In response to this tragedy, the court imposed a non-parole period of two years on Kemp, who had pleaded guilty to the charge in August 2023. Her driver’s license has also been suspended for two years.

The case has raised significant concerns about e-scooter safety across Australia, prompting many councils, including those in Perth, to suspend e-scooter hire services. Following the incident, new regulations were introduced, mandating that riders wear helmets, remain sober, carry no passengers, and be at least 16 years of age. The law classifies dangerous driving causing death with a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.

Kemp’s sentence has been backdated to June 2023 for time served, and she could be eligible for release in mid-2027.