A British backpacker is facing up to 20 years in prison in Australia after pleading guilty to causing the death of a father-of-two in a drunk e-scooter crash….CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Alicia Kemp, 25, from Redditch, Worcestershire, admitted to striking 51-year-old Thanh Phan from behind while riding an e-scooter at speed on a footpath in Perth in June. Kemp was found to be more than three times over the legal alcohol limit after a six-hour drinking session before the incident.
Phan suffered fatal head injuries and died days later in hospital from a brain bleed. His death sparked calls for stricter e-scooter regulations, leading Perth and several other councils to permanently suspend rental services.
Kemp appeared via video link at Perth Magistrates’ Court on Monday to plead guilty to dangerous driving causing death while under the influence of alcohol. A related charge of causing harm to a passenger was dropped.
The court heard Kemp was riding at up to 25 km/h and hit Phan while he was standing at a pedestrian crossing. CCTV footage showed other pedestrians taking evasive action to avoid Kemp’s reckless riding. Her 26-year-old passenger also suffered serious injuries, including a fractured skull and broken nose.
Kemp, who was on a four-month tourist visa and working at a local pub, had been drinking since early afternoon and hired the e-scooter just before 8:30 p.m. Her bail application was refused over fears she posed a flight risk.
Her lawyer described her as “nervous and worried” and acknowledged she had made a grave mistake but wanted to move on with her life. Phan’s family mourned him as a beloved husband and father, urging stronger safety laws to prevent further tragedies.
Under Western Australian law, e-scooter riders must wear helmets, be sober, carry no passengers, and be over 16 years old. Kemp’s sentencing is set for October 31 at Perth District Court….CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
