Pedestrian dies after being hit by e-scooter in Perth
A 51-year-old dad who was hit by an e-scooter in Perth's CBD has died, while the allegedly drunk young rider has had her charge upgraded and bail denied.
British backpacker Alicia Kemp is accused of striking Thanh Phan from behind as he walked along Murray Street with a friend about 8.40pm on Saturday.
A police prosecutor told Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday she had a blood alcohol reading of 0.158 per cent.
The 24-year-old — who appeared from custody flanked by security guards — and a female friend had been drinking at a pub since 2.30pm but were kicked out for drunkenness six hours later, Magistrate Richard Huston was told.
They walked towards a taxi rank but instead hired an e-scooter, and Ms Kemp took off along the footpath in an 'inexplicably dangerous' manner, the police prosecutor said. The police prosecutor told Magistrate Richard Huston that an upgraded charge was 'guaranteed'. Credit: Andrew Ritchie / The West Australian
'She has careered into his back, causing him to fall forward and hit his head,' the officer said.
Mr Phan suffered a brain bleed while the pillion passenger, 26, was flung from the e-scooter and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The whole incident lasted less than 10 minutes and was captured on CCTV, making the case 'extremely strong', the police prosecutor said.
Vehicle examiners who watched the footage estimated Ms Kemp reached up to 25km/h, while the speed limit for e-scooters on footpaths was 10km/h, she said.
'There were numerous witnesses at the scene, admissions were made at the scene,' she said. Mr Phan, a Worley engineer, was struck from behind, the court was told. Credit: Unknown / LinkedIn
Mr Phan, a senior structural engineer for Worley, was taken to Royal Perth hospital in a critical condition.
Ms Kemp has now had her charge upgraded to dangerous driving occasioning death under the influence of alcohol, from dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm under the influence of alcohol.
It carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.
The police prosecutor opposed bail, saying Ms Kemp was in WA for four months on a working holiday visa and had no connection to WA, so was a flight risk. The boyfriend of Ms Kemp appeared to wipe away tears as she was denied bail. Credit: Andrew Ritchie / The West Australian
The magistrate agreed, despite the accused woman's duty lawyer saying she could be under a 24-hour curfew and surrender her passport.
'The temptation might be not to return,' Mr Huston said.
'I just can't manage that risk.'
Ms Kemp wiped away tears as she was told she would be remanded in custody until her next court appearance on July 15.
Mr Phan's family released a statement, saying he was a beloved husband, father of two, brother and dear friend, and news of his death on Monday night had been heart-breaking.
They called for a review of laws and safety regulations around hired e-scooters 'to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk'.
Ms Kemp also faces a charge of dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm under the influence of alcohol over her friend's injuries, which required hospital treatment.
Ms Kemp sustained minor injuries and was not taken to hospital.
Mr Phan's profile showed he studied in Singapore before working in Vietnam then Sydney before moving to Perth.
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