Quote from Alex bobby on August 12, 2025, 4:07 AM

Tragedy in Perth: British Backpacker Pleads Guilty to Fatal E-Scooter Crash

A tragic accident in Perth has cast a grim spotlight on the dangers of mixing alcohol with personal mobility devices such as e-scooters. Alicia Kemp, a 25-year-old British backpacker from Redditch, Worcestershire, pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court to dangerous driving causing death while intoxicated — a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

An Afternoon of Drinking Turns Deadly

On a Saturday afternoon in May, Kemp had been drinking with a friend in the heart of Perth. According to court proceedings, the pair were ejected from a bar after staff deemed them too intoxicated. Despite their condition, they decided to continue their evening by hiring an e-scooter.

CCTV footage presented to the court showed Kemp riding at an estimated speed of 20–25 km/h (12–15 mph), weaving through the city centre streets and pavements. Her blood alcohol concentration was later measured at 0.158 — more than three times the legal limit of 0.05 in Australia.

At around 9 p.m., Kemp struck 51-year-old Thanh Phan from behind while he was standing on a pavement waiting to cross the road. The impact caused Mr Phan, a father of two and structural engineer, to fall and strike his head on the ground. He suffered a catastrophic brain bleed and died in hospital two days later.

Passenger Also Injured

Kemp was not alone on the scooter — her friend was riding as a passenger at the time of the collision. The passenger sustained a fractured skull and a broken nose but survived. Initially, prosecutors charged Kemp with a second offence of dangerous driving causing bodily harm to her passenger, but this was later dropped following her guilty plea to the more serious charge involving Mr Phan’s death.

“Inexplicably Dangerous” Riding

Prosecutors described Kemp’s behaviour as “inexplicably dangerous,” highlighting the decision to ride an e-scooter in such a state of intoxication, in a busy urban environment, and with a passenger. They stressed that the tragedy was entirely preventable.

In earlier statements, Mr Phan’s grieving family described him as a “beloved husband, father, brother, and dear friend” whose life had been “stolen in a senseless act.” His death, they said, had left an irreplaceable void in their lives and in the community.

Kemp’s Response

Appearing via video link from custody, Kemp spoke only to enter her guilty plea. Her lawyer, Michael Tudori, told local media she was “relieved” to finally take responsibility for her actions and wanted to be sentenced before Christmas. “You could see she was ready to say those words,” Tudori said. “She’s obviously done something incredibly stupid.”

Kemp had been in Western Australia on a working holiday visa. Her time in Australia, once intended for travel and adventure, has instead ended in tragedy and legal proceedings. She will remain in custody until her sentencing.

The Broader Context — E-Scooters and Road Safety

While e-scooters have surged in popularity across Australian cities as a cheap, convenient, and environmentally friendly form of transport, they have also brought safety concerns. Perth, like other cities, has seen a rise in accidents — some involving alcohol and excessive speed.

The case has reignited debate over the regulation of e-scooter use. In Western Australia, it is illegal to operate any vehicle — including e-scooters — with a blood alcohol level above 0.05. However, enforcement can be challenging, especially given the widespread use of rented scooters that can be picked up and dropped off virtually anywhere.

Road safety advocates point to this case as a grim reminder that impaired riding can be just as deadly as impaired driving. The speeds reached by e-scooters, combined with the vulnerability of riders and pedestrians, create a high risk of serious injury or death in collisions.

A Community Mourns

Tributes for Thanh Phan have poured in from colleagues, friends, and neighbours. Known for his kindness, humour, and generosity, Mr Phan had emigrated from Vietnam and built a successful career as a structural engineer in Perth. His friends described him as someone who loved spending time with his family and contributing to his community.

The emotional toll on his family has been profound. “We are heartbroken,” they said in a public statement earlier this year. “He was taken from us too soon, in a way that should never have happened.”

The Legal Road Ahead

Sentencing will be determined in the coming months, with the court taking into account Kemp’s guilty plea, her cooperation with authorities, and any mitigating factors presented by the defence. However, the seriousness of the offence — dangerous driving causing death while intoxicated — means she faces the real possibility of a lengthy prison term.

For the Phan family, no legal outcome can undo the loss they have suffered. For Kemp, the consequences of one reckless night will reverberate for the rest of her life.

Lessons From a Preventable Tragedy

This case serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibilities that come with any form of transport. Whether behind the wheel of a car, riding a bicycle, or operating an e-scooter, the potential to cause harm while impaired is very real.

It also raises questions about the culture of e-scooter use — particularly among young travellers and tourists — and the need for stronger public awareness campaigns about the legal and safety risks.

As Perth comes to terms with this tragedy, the hope among road safety advocates is that it might prevent similar incidents in the future. For now, the community mourns a life cut short, a family devastated, and the bitter knowledge that it all could have been avoided.

conclusion

In conclusion, the death of Thanh Phan at the hands of an intoxicated e-scooter rider is a stark reminder that reckless choices can have irreversible consequences. Alicia Kemp’s guilty plea closes one chapter in the legal process, but the grief felt by Mr Phan’s family will endure far longer than any sentence. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for stronger public awareness about the dangers of impaired riding and for individuals to recognise that every decision made on the road — whether in a car, on a bike, or on an e-scooter — carries the power to save or destroy lives.

meta description 

A drunk British backpacker in Perth has pleaded guilty to killing a man in a high-speed e-scooter crash, a heartbreaking incident that highlights the devastating consequences and fatal dangers of riding while intoxicated.