A 25-year-old English backpacker, Alicia Kemp, has admitted to causing a fatal accident while riding an electric scooter in a drunken state in Perth, Australia. She was over the legal alcohol limit when she crashed into Thanh Phan, the father of two, on 31 May.
Mr. Phan, 51, later succumbed to a brain hemorrhage after being hospitalised. This incident brought significant attention to e-scooter safety and led to Perth, along with several other local councils, to halt e-scooter rental services temporarily.
Kemp, who hails from Worcestershire, confessed to the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing death. She was present at the Perth Magistrates’ Court via video from her prison cell on Monday.
Remaining in custody, Kemp is set to appear in Perth District Court on October 31, where her sentencing will be scheduled. The offense she is charged with can result in up to 20 years in prison.
According to Western Australian law, individuals operating e-scooters are required to wear helmets, maintain sobriety, not carry passengers, and be at least 16 years old.
