PERTH, Western Australia — A British backpacker has been sentenced to four years in prison after a drunken e‑scooter crash in central Perth claimed the life of a father of two, in a case that has reignited public scrutiny of e‑scooter safety and regulation across Australia. The sentence, handed down on 12 December 2025, follows a tragic collision earlier this year that left one man dead and another seriously injured.
Fatal collision in Perth’s CBD
The case centres on 25‑year‑old Alicia Kemp, a British backpacker from Redditch, Worcestershire, who was riding a rental electric scooter through Perth’s Murray Street Mall on 31 May 2025 when she struck 51‑year‑old Thanh Phan, a structural engineer and father of two. At the time of the crash, Kemp was more than three times over the legal alcohol limit, according to court testimony.
CCTV footage shown in court depicted Kemp — who had been drinking with friends for hours earlier that day — weaving between pedestrians and at times riding on footpaths before the moment she collided with Mr Phan from behind.
Phan was taken to Royal Perth Hospital in critical condition after suffering a brain bleed when his head struck the pavement. He died in hospital several days later, leaving behind a grieving family.
Sentence and courtroom remarks
Kemp pleaded guilty in August 2025 to dangerous driving causing death while under the influence of alcohol, a serious offence under Western Australian law for which the maximum penalty can reach up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
At Perth District Court, Judge Wendy Hughes delivered a four‑year term, backdated to June 2025 when Kemp was first remanded in custody, with a non‑parole period of two years. She could be eligible for release on parole around mid‑2027. Kemp’s driver’s licence was also suspended for two years.
Addressing Kemp in court, Judge Hughes emphasised that the crash was not a mere “accident” but a consequence of her choices. “You, Ms Kemp, are the cautionary tale,” the judge said, urging the community to recognise the dangers of misusing e‑scooters under the influence.
Victim impact and human cost
In a powerful victim impact statement, Mr Phan’s widow described her husband as the “backbone” of their family — a devoted partner and parent to their two adult sons, both with autism spectrum disorders. She spoke of the unimaginable pain of losing him and the uncertainty their family now faces without his support.
Friends and colleagues also remembered Phan as a deeply committed professional and community member. The tragedy has reverberated beyond his immediate family, touching the lives of those who knew him in Perth and abroad.
What happened that night
Evidence presented at sentencing revealed that Kemp and a companion had spent much of the afternoon and early evening engaged in prolonged heavy drinking — beginning with a bottomless brunch followed by visits to multiple bars. After being refused entry to some venues due to intoxication, they hired a scooter.
Rather than complying with scooter regulations — which in Western Australia require riders to be sober, wear a helmet, carry no passengers, and be over 16 years old — footage showed Kemp riding at estimated speeds of around 20–25 km/h, with her friend on the back, and narrowly avoiding several pedestrians before the collision with Phan.
Kemp herself suffered minor injuries, as did her passenger, who was treated for a fractured skull and broken nose. After the crash, Kemp reportedly continued drinking until the small hours of the following morning, believing initially that the injuries caused were not serious — a belief later proven tragically wrong.
Public policy and e‑scooter safety debate
The fatal collision has reinvigorated public debate in Australia over e‑scooter safety and regulatory oversight. In the wake of Mr Phan’s death, the City of Perth and several surrounding councils suspended e‑scooter hire services indefinitely, citing concerns about misuse, intoxicated riders and pedestrian risks.
A subsequent parliamentary inquiry in Western Australia called for urgent reforms, noting that serious injuries linked to e‑scooters and other light electric vehicles have become a frequent source of trauma admissions to major hospitals. The inquiry’s recommendations include stricter enforcement of existing rules, tougher penalties for misuse, and review of vehicle speeds and permitted usage areas.
Across Australia, states including Queensland and New South Wales have also launched investigations and public consultations aimed at addressing e‑scooter and e‑bike safety, as these forms of transport grow in popularity among both locals and international visitors.
Broader implications
Kemp’s case highlights the risks that arise at the intersection of alcohol, rental micro‑mobility devices and urban foot traffic. While e‑scooters are marketed as a convenient and eco‑friendly transport option, their increasing use — especially by intoxicated riders — has led to a spate of collisions in major Australian cities, prompting calls for clearer rules, better rider education and tighter controls.
Critics argue that legal frameworks lag behind technological adoption, leaving gaps in enforcement and public understanding of responsibilities. Supporters of strict regulation point to incidents like this as evidence that without robust safety measures, the convenience of micromobility can quickly turn deadly.
A warning to riders and tourists alike
For many observers, the case serves as both a personal tragedy and a public warning. Kemp — a young tourist on a working holiday visa — had been living and working in Perth prior to the crash, reflecting the broad appeal of Australia’s urban centres to international backpackers and travellers.
Her dramatic fall from carefree tourist to convicted prisoner underscores how momentary choices can have lifelong consequences — for both the rider and the wider community.
As Perth and other cities continue to grapple with e‑scooter regulation, transport safety advocates hope that lessons from this case will help shape better protections for pedestrians, riders and all road users in the future.
7 years in the field, from local radio to digital newsrooms. Loves chasing the stories that matter to everyday Aussies – whether it’s climate, cost of living or the next big thing in tech.
