In Lake Forest, California, a mother is now facing an involuntary manslaughter charge following the death of an elderly man struck by an electric motorcycle operated by her teenage son.
The victim, Ed Ashman, an 81-year-old Vietnam War veteran and cherished substitute teacher, succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, a fortnight after being hit by the e-motorcycle. The incident occurred as Ashman was walking home from his job at El Toro High School in Lake Forest.
Authorities have identified the mother as 50-year-old Tommi Jo Mejer. Prosecutors allege that she had been cautioned about allowing her 14-year-old son to ride the e-motorcycle unlawfully before the tragic accident occurred.
“An American hero who survived combat missions in Vietnam tragically could not survive crossing a street in Lake Forest,” stated Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “This was caused by a 14-year-old who was permitted to ride an E-Motorcycle he should never have been on. This mother effectively placed a deadly weapon in her son’s hands and, despite repeated warnings, continued to allow him to ride illegally until this fatal incident transpired.”
The collision took place on April 16. According to investigators, Mejer’s son was performing “wheelies” on a Surron e-motorcycle outside El Toro High School when he collided with Ashman.
Prior to the manslaughter charge, Mejer faced several other charges, including one felony count of child endangerment, one felony count of accessory after the fact, one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one misdemeanor of loaning a vehicle to an unlicensed driver, and one misdemeanor for providing false information to law enforcement.
The law says e-bikes manufactured to stay under 20 mph have no age or licensing restrictions, but those that have been modified or can reach higher speeds are considered e-motorcycles and require a motorcycle license, insurance and registration.
Investigators say Mejer was warned by sheriff’s deputies about letting her son illegally ride the e-motorcycle in June of last year. The sheriff’s department said deputies spent nearly 30 minutes explaining to her that her son could not legally ride the e-motorcycle, and that she would face criminal charges if she continued to let him.
“We have her on body-worn camera talking about and understanding the dangers and the illegality of this particular vehicle,” Spitzer said.
Mejer marks the third parent in Orange County this year alone charged with illegally allowing their child to ride an e-motorcycle.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help support Ashman’s family.
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