UK Tourist Faces Court Over Fatal Perth E-Scooter Crash

Kemp allegedly struck 51-year-old Phan while riding an e-scooter in Perth on May 31.

A man walks past a row of electric scooters for hire in Perth, Western Australia, on March 18, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

An English tourist accused of causing the death of a Perth man while riding an e-scooter under the influence of alcohol appeared in court on July 14.

Alicia Kemp, 25, faced the Western Australian Magistrates Court via video link, charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm, both under the influence of alcohol. She had a blood alcohol level of 0.158 at the time, over three times the 0.05 legal limit.

Kemp allegedly struck 51-year-old Thanh Phan while riding an e-scooter in Perth at around 8:40 p.m. on May 31. Phan sustained critical injuries and died in hospital days later.

Kemp was refused bail because it was determined she would likely try to leave the country.

She remains in custody, with her case adjourned to Aug. 11 as legal negotiations continue.

Her 26-year-old female passenger was also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Kemp sustained minor injuries in the crash.

E-Scooter Inquiry

In response, the WA government has launched a parliamentary inquiry into e-bike and e-scooter safety. The committee will explore options for improved safety measures and tougher penalties for dangerous or illegal use.

The case has added to growing concerns about the risks posed by e-scooters.

Australia has recorded a surge in accidents involving the vehicles, some resulting in serious injury or death.

Professor Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia, said Australia lacks a consistent national approach to managing e-scooter safety.

“We’re seeing clear evidence of injuries, and sadly, in some cases, deaths,” he told ABC radio.

“The patchwork of regulation—from speed limits to minimum rider age—makes managing these risks very difficult.”

Experts Call for Consistent National Rules

Slevin pointed to data showing significant injuries linked to e-scooter use, including fractures and trauma requiring CT scans.

He said existing studies are geographically limited, with no uniform data collection to compare outcomes across states.

“There’s a real gap in national-level data that could inform what policies are actually working,” he said.

Professor Geoff Rose from Monash University added that liability for accidents involving privately owned e-scooters remains murky.

“They’re not classified as motor vehicles, so there’s no automatic coverage under state insurance schemes,” he also told ABC radio.

He added that while shared scooter companies carry insurance, private users are often unprotected.