Alicia Kemp, 25, was sentenced for dangerous driving causing death while intoxicated after she hit and killed father-of-two Thanh Phan while riding an e-scooter in Perth, Western Australia
A 25-year-old English backpacker has been sentenced to four years in prison after fatally striking a man while riding an e-scooter while over the legal limit for alcohol.
Alicia Kemp was found to be over the Australian legal alcohol limit when she collided with father-of-two Thanh Phan in Perth on 31 May. The young woman, who was in Australia on a working holiday visa, received her sentence at Perth District Court, Western Australia on Friday, December 12
The court had previously heard that Kemp had been drinking with a friend on a Saturday afternoon prior to the fatal incident. The pair were ejected from a bar due to their intoxicated state.
Later that evening, they rented an e-scooter, with Kemp at the helm, travelling at speeds between 12 and 15mph. She struck the 51 year old from behind on a pavement in the heart of Perth city centre.
Tragically, the father succumbed to a brain haemorrhage two days post-collision, reports the Express.
Kemp’s passenger and friend also sustained injuries in the accident, including a fractured skull and broken nose. The court was informed that Kemp’s blood alcohol level was more than triple the legal limit in Australia.
CCTV footage revealed her “inexplicably dangerous” riding behaviour prior to hitting Mr Phan, who was waiting to cross the road.
In a statement released after the incident earlier this year, Mr Phan’s family portrayed the structural engineer as a cherished husband, father, brother and dear friend. Her sentence was backdated to June 2025, accounting for time served, with a non-parole period of two years.
Additionally, her driving licence has been suspended for two years.
The tragedy brought e-scooter safety into the national spotlight in Australia, leading Perth and a number of surrounding councils to suspend hire services indefinitely.
In an earlier statement, Mr Phan’s family described him as a “beloved husband, father of two and dear friend”.
Dangerous driving causing death carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.
Under Western Australian law, e-scooter riders must wear a helmet, be sober, carry no passengers and be aged over 16.
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