A tragic incident recently emerged from Perth, Australia, involving a British woman named Alicia Kemp, age 24, who has been charged with the death of an Australian man, Thanh Phan, aged 51. This unfortunate event transpired when Kemp allegedly struck Phan while riding an e-scooter after a night of drinking. The crash occurred on May 31, 2025, in the heart of Perth, where witnesses describe a horrifying scene leading to a rapid call for justice.
The prosecutors stated that Kemp was traveling at speeds estimated between 20 to 25 km/h (approximately 12 to 15 mph) when she collided with Phan, who was on the pavement. The impact was severe enough that Phan hit his head, resulting in injuries so grave he succumbed to them two days later. Following this, authorities charged Kemp with death by dangerous driving while under the influence of alcohol, a serious charge that carries a maximum potential prison sentence of 20 years.
Kemp’s actions were also said to have resulted in a secondary charge for dangerous driving that occasioned bodily harm, primarily concerning her passenger. The legal ramifications of this tragic crash could weigh heavily on Kemp, especially since reports indicated that she had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.158 at the time of the incident, significantly above the legal limit of 0.05 in Australia.
During subsequent court proceedings, prosecutors provided CCTV footage supporting their claims. This footage highlighted Kemp’s “inexplicably dangerous” driving behavior and depicted moments when other pedestrians had to take evasive actions to avoid her path. Her claim that she was unaware of the impact elicited disbelief, particularly as court officials noted her bail was denied because she was considered a risk to flee, especially since her entrance into Australia was on a provisional working holiday visa.
Details surrounding the run-up to the incident revealed that Kemp and her friend had been drinking at various locations throughout the day since 2:30 PM. Reports indicated that they were forcibly removed from a bar due to their intoxication before renting the e-scooter shortly before 8:30 PM. As Kemp awaits her next court date set for July 15, the community and family members of the victim are left to grapple with the aftermath.
Phan’s family has publicly mourned his loss, memorializing him as a cherished husband and father, a respected structural engineer who had extensive work experience in various countries, including Sydney, Vietnam, and Singapore. They expressed a strong desire for a review of safety regulations concerning the use of hiring systems for e-scooters, emphasizing the need for structural changes that can prevent future tragedies similar to this one.
In the wake of this incident, it has been reported that Perth’s city council has temporarily suspended the hiring of e-scooters while authorities assess the broader safety considerations related to their usage. Deputy Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds described the death as a “tragic event” while reiterating the necessity for stricter regulations. The state police minister’s department is also reviewing the current e-scooter regulations, aiming to enhance public safety in light of this devastating incident.
Thus, the story of Alicia Kemp and Thanh Phan serves as a grim reminder about the risks associated with alcohol consumption and mobility devices like e-scooters. The community’s response has sparked a broader dialogue concerning safety measures and regulations that could either prevent such incidents or at least make riding e-scooters safer for everyone involved.