Arraignment postponed again for OC mother charged in son's fatal e-motorcycle crash
Arraignment delayed for OC mom in fatal e-motorcycle crash
Tommi Jo Mejer, 51, is charged with felony involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment, and being an accessory after the fact, alongside misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer.
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - The arraignment for an Orange County mother charged with felony involuntary manslaughter has been postponed following a Tuesday court appearance in Newport Beach.
Prosecutors allege her decision to allow her underage son to ride a high-speed electric motorcycle led directly to the death of a decorated Vietnam veteran, signaling a sharp escalation in local efforts to hold parents criminally responsible.
What we know:
Tommi Jo Mejer, 51, of Aliso Viejo, is facing multiple charges including felony involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment, and being an accessory after the fact, alongside misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer.
The charges stem from an April 16, 2026, incident near El Toro High School in Lake Forest.
Authorities allege that Mejer’s 14-year-old son was performing wheelies on a 2025 Surron Ultra Bee e-motorcycle when he struck 81-year-old Ed Ashman and fled the scene. Ashman, a Marine Corps veteran who flew combat missions in Vietnam and worked as a substitute teacher, died from his injuries two weeks later.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- OC mother faces manslaughter charges after son's e-motorcycle kills Vietnam veteran
- OC mother charged with felony after son's e-motorcycle crash critically injures veteran
- Teen arrested after OC electric motorcycle hit-and-run leaves teacher, 81, critical
According to law enforcement, the vehicle involved can reach speeds of 58 mph and is 16 times more powerful than a legal e-bike, legally classifying it as a motorcycle requiring a license and registration.
Prosecutors note that Mejer was explicitly warned by deputies in June 2025 regarding potential criminal charges if she continued to let her son ride the vehicle, yet she allegedly told investigators hours after the crash that her family did not own or have access to a Surron.
What we don't know:
It has not been disclosed whether the defense will contest the claims that Mejer was properly informed of the specific classification of the 2025 Surron Ultra Bee prior to the accident.
Details regarding the 14-year-old teen's separate court proceedings remain confidential under California state law.
Timeline:
June 2025: Mejer contacts deputies regarding photos of her son riding an e-motorcycle. Deputies explicitly warn her of potential criminal charges if she continues to let him ride the vehicle.
April 16, 2026: Ed Ashman is struck by the teen operating the illegal e-motorcycle and is hospitalized in critical condition.
April 21, 2026: Mejer is arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
April 30, 2026: Ed Ashman passes away from his injuries, prompting prosecutors to upgrade Mejer's charges to involuntary manslaughter.
May 12, 2026: The initial arraignment is postponed at the Harbor Justice Center.
June 30, 2026: Mejer's rescheduled arraignment takes place but is postponed once more.
September 15, 2026: The new scheduled date for Mejer's arraignment.
What they're saying:
"Tommi Mejer is anguished over the terrible accident. She sends her deepest condolences and sorrow over this tragedy. This has been devastating for everyone. It is premature to make any other statement," Mejer's attorneys Paul Meyer and Lolita Kirk said in a statement.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer issued a stern warning to the public regarding parental responsibility: "This mother essentially handed her 14-year-old son a deadly weapon, and despite multiple warnings of the dangers, continued to let him illegally ride... If parents aren’t going to hold their children accountable, then I am going to hold parents accountable," Spitzer said.
What's next:
Mejer's arraignment is now set for September 15, 2026.
If she is convicted on all counts, she faces a maximum sentence of seven years and eight months in state prison.
Meanwhile, the Orange County District Attorney's Office has established a brand-new unit specifically dedicated to focusing on engine-driven bicycles to curb what they describe as a "pandemic" of illegal high-speed electric vehicles.
The Source: This report is based on information provided by the Orange County District Attorney's Office and the Orange County Sheriff's Department, as well as previous FOX 11 reports. City News Service contributed.