OC mother now charged with involuntary manslaughter following death of 81-year-old man

Key Points:

• Tommi Jo Mejer, a 50-year-old Orange County mother, faces an additional involuntary manslaughter charge after her 14-year-old son, riding an illegal e-motorcycle, fatally struck 81-year-old Ed Ashman, a Vietnam War veteran and substitute teacher.
• The crash occurred on April 16 near El Toro High School in Lake Forest, where Mejer's son was performing stunts on the e-motorcycle before hitting Ashman, who died two weeks later from his injuries.
• Authorities had previously warned Mejer in June of the prior year about the illegality and dangers of allowing her son to ride the modified e-motorcycle, which requires licensing, insurance, and registration due to its speed capabilities.
• Mejer was already charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors, including child endangerment and providing false information to police, and is now the third parent in Orange County this year charged for permitting their child to ride an illegal e-motorcycle.
• Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned Mejer's actions, emphasizing that she knowingly allowed her son to operate a "deadly weapon," ultimately leading to the death of a respected community member.