LATEST FLORES – This story was like lightning in broad daylight, striking a family in Aliso Viejo, California, and leaving deep sorrow for other families. A mother, Tommi Jo Mejer, must now face charges of involuntary manslaughter. The cause? His son, who was only 14 years old, killed an 81 year old war veteran with his illegal electric motorbike (e-motor). This is not just a story about accidents, but about negligence, ignored warnings, and the high price of freedom gone too far.
Deadly E-Motorcycles and Innocent Victims
The unfortunate incident occurred on April 16 in Lake Forest, California. Mejer’s son, who is still a minor, was riding a 2025 Surron Ultra Bee e-motorcycle. This vehicle, with speeds of up to 56 mph (about 90 km/h), is actually classified as a motorbike and requires a driver of at least 16 years of age with a valid license. However, the teenager drove it without fulfilling these requirements, and reportedly even did “wheelies” or lifted the front wheel on the road.
In the midst of this dangerous action, a collision occurred. The victim was Ed Ashman, an 81-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran and substitute teacher who was walking home from work. Ashman suffered critical injuries and struggled for some time before finally passing away on Thursday, two weeks after the tragic incident. It was Ashman’s death that changed the entire dynamic of the case, from just a misdemeanor to a manslaughter charge.
Ignored Warnings and Mother’s Lies
This case has come under sharp scrutiny due to a history of warnings being ignored. Prosecutors revealed that Tommi Jo Mejer had been repeatedly warned by sheriff’s deputies about the dangers and illegality of the e-motorbike his son was using. In fact, in June 2025, Mejer called the sheriff’s department to complain about someone posting a photo of his child riding an e-motorcycle. In an interaction captured on the deputy’s body camera, he admitted he had purchased the vehicle and “knew that his son was driving it recklessly.”
Deputies at that time had warned him that he could face criminal charges if he let his son ride the e-motorbike illegally. However, the warning seemed like a breeze. After the April crash, Mejer allegedly even lied to authorities, claiming that neither he nor his son owned or had access to the Surron e-motorcycle.
From Child Danger to Accidental Manslaughter
Initially, Mejer was charged with endangering a minor (felony child endangerment) and being an accessory after the fact. However, after Ashman’s death, Orange County district attorney Todd Spitzer upgraded the charge to involuntary manslaughter. “This mother essentially handed her 14-year-old son a deadly weapon, and despite numerous warnings about the dangers, continued to let him ride his e-motorbike illegally until he finally killed someone,” Spitzer said in a statement.
If convicted of all charges, Mejer could face a maximum state prison sentence of seven years and eight months. His arraignment hearing is scheduled for May 21 in Newport Beach.
Parental Responsibility and E-Motor Regulations
This case is not the first in Orange County. Prosecutors in the county have filed child endangerment charges against three parents this year for letting their children ride e-motorbikes illegally. In Contra Costa County, northern California, parents were also charged after their child crashed into a minivan.
This tragic incident has once again sparked debate about parental responsibility and the need for stricter regulations for e-motorcycles. These vehicles, which often have the power and speed of motorbikes, are increasingly popular among teenagers, but are often operated without a proper understanding of road laws and safety.
Authorities hope that cases like this can be a bitter lesson for parents. The freedom given to children must be in line with an understanding of responsibility and consequences. Allowing children to drive dangerous vehicles illegally, even with good intentions, can lead to unimaginable tragedies, like what happened to Ed Ashman, and change the lives of many people forever. California itself is reviewing legislative proposals (AB 1942 and AB 1557) to increase e-motorcycle regulations, with new rules possibly taking effect from January 1, 2027. Hopefully this tragedy will be a trigger for change for the better, for the sake of mutual safety on the road.***
