A British backpacker has pleaded guilty to the tragic killing of a pedestrian in Australia after an e-scooter incident where her blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit.
Alicia Kemp, 25, from Redditch, Worcestershire, was partying with a friend and got kicked out of a bar due to their intoxication. Later that evening in May, they rented an e-scooter, where Kemp was riding at speeds of 20 to 25 km/h when she struck 51-year-old Thanh Phan from behind on a Perth pavement. Phan suffered critical injuries and died two days later in the hospital.
Kemp's passenger also sustained injuries after the crash, but they were not life-threatening. In Perth's Magistrates Court, Kemp appeared via video link and admitted to dangerous driving causing death while intoxicated—a charge with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Prosecutors noted that her blood alcohol content peaked at 0.158, well above Australia’s legal limit of 0.05.
CCTV footage captured her reckless riding just moments before hitting Phan, who was waiting to cross the road. Phan was remembered fondly by his family as a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend. Kemp's attorney mentioned she feels remorse for her actions and is looking forward to her upcoming sentencing, which will take place before Christmas. She remains in custody as the case unfolds.
