Latest news with #drivingUnderInfluence
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Brit faces 20 years in prison over e-scooter death while backpacking
Alicia Kemp, a 24-year-old British backpacker, has been charged in Australia with death by dangerous driving while under the influence after an e-scooter crash that killed Thanh Phan, 51. The incident occurred in Perth when Kemp allegedly hit Phan from behind on an e-scooter; Phan later died from head injuries. Prosecutors allege Kemp had a blood alcohol level of 0.158 and was driving the e-scooter at 25km/h at the time of the crash. Kemp faces a potential 20-year prison sentence if convicted and has been denied bail due to flight risk; her friend, who was a passenger on the e-scooter, also sustained injuries. Following the incident, Perth is reviewing e-scooter safety regulations, and Western Australia has launched a crackdown on e-scooters with increased education and compliance measures.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
British woman charged over death of Australian in e-scooter crash
A British woman has been charged in Australia over the death of a man she allegedly hit while riding an e-scooter after a night of drinking. Prosecutors told magistrates that Alicia Kemp, 24, hit Thanh Phan, 51, from behind at speeds of 20-25km/h (12-15mph) on a pavement in Perth city centre on 31 May. The father-of-two hit his head and died two days later, prompting police to charge Ms Kemp with death by dangerous driving while under the influence. The charge carries a maximum 20-year prison term. In a subsequent court hearing, prosecutors alleged Ms Kemp, of Redditch, had been drinking with a friend before both boarded the same scooter. She was denied bail and faces court again on 15 July. Prosecutors told Perth Magistrates' Court that CCTV footage showed Ms Kemp's "inexplicably dangerous" driving, "evasive action" taken by others in her path, and the moment of collision with Mr Phan as he waited to cross the road. Ms Kemp was denied bail by a magistrate on the basis that she posed a "flight risk", after prosecutors argued that she was in Australia on a working holiday visa and could attempt to leave. British media reported on Saturday that her parents were flying to Australia to support her. Her boyfriend has been present at the court hearings in Perth. Ms Kemp faces an additional charge of dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm while under the influence for injuries suffered by her passenger, who was thrown from the e-scooter and suffered a fractured skull and broken nose. Police say Ms Kemp had a blood alcohol content level of 0.158 when she hit Mr Phan. The legal drink-driving alcohol limit in Australia is 0.05. The court heard that the pair had been drinking on the day since 14:30 and were forcibly evicted from the bar because of intoxication. The pair hired the e-scooter just before 20:30. In a statement last week, Mr Phan's family described him as a a beloved husband, father, brother and dear friend. He had worked as a structural engineer and had previously lived in Sydney, as well as Vietnam and Singapore, Australian media reported. They called for a review of safety regulations around the use of hire e-scooters "to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk". Perth's city council suspended the use of hire e-scooters on Thursday, with authorities removing the vehicles from the street this week. Deputy Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds called Mr Phan's death a "tragic event". Western Australia's police minister is also reviewing e-scooter regulations.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Family accepts posthumous University of Arkansas degree, starts foundation in daughter's memory
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — More than 5,600 students are set to graduate this weekend from the University of Arkansas, but for some families, they're accepting posthumous degrees on their child's behalf. That's the case for Robert and Alice Korey, who took to the stage during the commencement ceremony Friday for the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, accepting a Communications degree for their daughter, Elana Korey, who was killed in a car accident by an impaired driver July 28, 2024. However, her parents have tried to make the most out of a tragic situation, starting the foundation, Ollie's Angels, to warn against the dangers of driving under the influence. 'We are living proof. It can absolutely happen to you and to your family,' Alice Korey said. 'People need to speak up if they see something that isn't right. They need to speak up. Don't be a bystander, and, of course, don't drive impaired.' Graduation ceremonies around Northwest Arkansas, River Valley Eight days before Elana Korey was set to be driven back to Fayetteville ahead of her junior year, she was hit and killed in Stowe, Vermont. Robert Korey said accepting her degree on her behalf was a way to 'stand up for her, so she's never forgotten.' However, the Koreys are keeping their daughter's memory alive in a more permanent way, helping others just like they remember her always doing. The foundation's namesake, Ollie's Angels, is paying homage to a dog that Elana Korey grew very close to, named Ollie. A friend of Elana Korey's let Ollie go back home with her for one summer, Robert Korey said, and the two built an unbreakable bond. 'Even after she had passed away, he would go down and wait for her at the bedroom door,' Alice Korey said. 'That is one lasting physical item of her love, and she loved him so much. We're grateful for her friend that said it was the right thing to do for us to continue to take care of him.' Ollie's now being trained to be a therapy dog, as one of the foundation's three pet ambassadors, alongside Grace, a 3-year-old German shepherd, and Juno, a panda shepherd mix. Robert and Alice Korey are hoping to prevent tragedies for other families, like the one they experienced and are still grieving more than nine months later. 'Stay in, put the keys down and catch a safe ride,' Robert Korey said. 'That's really what we want to do across the student population.' Moving forward, Ollie's Angels is looking to partner with a sponsor to get a campus ambassador at each Southeastern Conference university, as an on-site advocate helping spread the foundation's message against impaired driving. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
