A British backpacker, Alicia Kemp, aged 25, has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a man in Australia through dangerous driving while heavily intoxicated on an e-scooter. The incident occurred in Perth when Kemp struck 51-year-old Thanh Phan from behind while traveling at a speed of 20 to 25 km/h (12 to 15 mph), as he waited to cross the road.
Kemp, from Redditch, Worcestershire, had been drinking with a friend before they were ejected from a bar due to their level of intoxication. After hiring an e-scooter that evening, she collided with Phan, who later succumbed to a fatal brain bleed two days after the accident. Additional injuries were sustained by Kemp's passenger, who suffered a fractured skull and broken nose, although these were not life-threatening.
Appearing via video link in Perth’s Magistrates Court, Kemp admitted to the charge of dangerous driving causing death while intoxicated, a crime that could see her incarcerated for up to 20 years. The court heard that her blood alcohol content was measured at 0.158, significantly exceeding Australia’s legal limit of 0.05. CCTV footage presented indicated Kemp's dangerously reckless behavior leading up to the collision.
Phan's family portrayed him as a cherished father and husband, casting a shadow of loss over the proceedings. Kemp's attorney expressed a sense of relief following her guilty plea, noting her desire to be sentenced soon, ideally before Christmas. Currently held in custody, Kemp will await her sentencing as the legal process unfolds.
