OC mother charged after teen son critically injures 81-year-old in e-motorcycle crash

Key Points:

• A 50-year-old Orange County mother, Tommi Jo Mejer, faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after her 14-year-old son, illegally riding a high-speed electric motorcycle, critically injured 81-year-old Vietnam War veteran Ed Ashman in a crash.
• Prosecutors revealed Mejer was previously warned by sheriff's deputies about the illegality and dangers of her son riding the e-motorcycle, but she continued to allow it, leading to her arrest and potential prison time exceeding six years.
• The e-motorcycle involved can reach speeds up to 60 mph, requiring a motorcycle license and registration, unlike low-speed e-bikes that have no age or licensing restrictions.
• District Attorney Todd Spitzer emphasized prosecuting parents who enable illegal e-motorcycle use by minors to prevent further injuries and fatalities, calling such vehicles "loaded weapons" in the hands of unlicensed children.
• This case marks the third instance in Orange County this year where a parent has been charged for allowing their child to ride an e-motorcycle illegally, highlighting growing concerns over juvenile safety and parental responsibility.