British Backpacker Admits Guilt in Fatal E-Scooter Accident

A British tourist has confessed to causing a pedestrian's death while riding an e-scooter under the influence, igniting discussions about road safety in Australia.

A 25-year-old British backpacker, Alicia Kemp, has pleaded guilty to the fatal accident that led to the death of a 51-year-old pedestrian in Perth, Australia, while she was riding an e-scooter with a blood alcohol level exceeding three times the legal limit. Kemp, hailing from Redditch, Worcestershire, was reportedly enjoying drinks with a friend when they were expelled from a bar for their intoxication.

On the evening of the incident in May, Kemp and her friend rented an e-scooter. As she sped along at 20 to 25km/h (12 to 15mph), she collided with Thanh Phan, who was waiting to cross the road. The impact caused Mr. Phan to hit his head on the pavement, resulting in a severe brain bleed; he succumbed to his injuries two days later in the hospital. Kemp’s friend who was riding with her also sustained injuries, including a fractured skull and a broken nose, though they were not life-threatening.

In Perth's Magistrates Court on Monday, Kemp appeared via video link and admitted to the charge of dangerous driving causing death while intoxicated—a crime that could carry up to 20 years in prison. The prosecution decided to withdraw a second charge related to the injuries of her passenger. Court proceedings revealed that Kemp's blood alcohol content was 0.158 at the time of the incident, significantly surpassing the legal limit of 0.05 in Australia. Prosecutors presented CCTV footage showing her erratic and dangerous riding behavior before the tragic collision.

The family of Thanh Phan described him as a beloved husband, father, brother, and a dear friend. Kemp's attorney, Michael Tudori, indicated that his client felt a sense of relief after entering her guilty plea and expressed a desire to have her sentencing completed before Christmas. Kemp, who was in Australia on a working holiday visa, will remain in custody pending her court date.