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British tourist admits fatal e-scooter accident in Australia
A British tourist confessed to killing a man under the influence of alcohol while riding an e-scooter in Australia. The case raises questions about the safety of electric vehicles.
British tourist admits fatal e-scooter accident in Australia
A British tourist hitting a man while riding an e-scooter Australia who caused fatal injuries, pleaded guilty on Monday to dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in death.
Details of the incident
Alicia Kemp, 25, admitted the charge during a hearing at the Western Australia Magistrate's Court, officials told The Associated Press. Kemp was riding an e-scooter and a passenger in the city of Perth on May 31 when she hit a 51-year-old man named Thanh Phan. Phan hit his head on the pavement and later died in hospital. Both Kemp and her passenger suffered minor injuries.
Background and consequences
Kemp was in Western Australia on a working holiday visa. Investigators estimated that she was traveling at a speed of 20 to 25 km/h (12 to 16 mph) at the time of the accident, which is the maximum speed of a rental e-scooter. A charge of injuring the passenger was dropped when Kemp appeared in court via video link from jail on Monday. Her bail application had previously been rejected.
Reactions and current developments
Mike Tudori, Kemp's lawyer, speaking after the court hearing, described his client as "nervous and worried" in an Australian detention center. He said, according to Australian Associated Press reports: "She obviously did something stupid in the situation. She wasn't thinking clearly and the consequences are serious. She just wants to move on with her life."
fate of the victim
Thanh Phan's family described him as a "beloved husband, father of two children, brother and loyal friend." Kemp will remain in custody until her next court date on October 31, when a sentence will be determined. The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
Reactions from the City of Perth
Following Phan's death, authorities in Perth have suspended e-scooter rentals in the city. This was the fifth fatal EV incident in Australia this year. The state government has also launched an investigation into these vehicles.
Global trends in e-scooter usage
In 2024, Melbourne, Victoria became the first city in Australia to ban e-scooter rentals. The move mirrors similar measures in other cities around the world, including Paris, where a Ban overwhelmingly approved became.