OC mother charged with felony after son's e-motorcycle crash critically injures veteran
E-motorcycle rider leaves veteran critically hurt
Tommi Jo Mejer, was charged with felony child endangerment after her son allegedly struck and critically injured an 81-year-old man while riding an illegal e-motorcycle in Lake Forest.
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. - An Orange County mother is facing over six years in prison after her teenage son allegedly critically injured a Vietnam veteran while riding an illegal electric motorcycle.
Authorities describe the rise of modified e-bikes and motorized dirt bikes as a "pandemic" endangering Southern California neighborhoods.
The backstory:
The incident happened on April 16 just before 4 p.m. near the intersection of Toledo Way and Ridge Route Drive, close to El Toro High School in Lake Forest.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the victim, 81-year-old Ed Ashman, was struck while crossing the street by a 14-year-old boy performing wheelies on a Surron Ultra Bee e-motorcycle.
The teen left the scene, leaving Ashman—a retired Marine Corps captain and substitute teacher—with critical injuries. According to the latest update, Ashman underwent surgery on April 19 and remains in critical condition.
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Officials said the teen did not have a license, registration, or insurance – all of which are required to operate the e-motorcycle.
What we know:
Tommi Jo Mejer, the boy's mother, was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony child endangerment and accessory after the fact.
Prosecutors revealed that in June 2025, deputies had spent nearly 30 minutes explicitly warning Mejer that the vehicle was illegal for her son to ride and that she could face criminal charges.
Despite this, she allegedly allowed him to continue operating the bike and later denied owning such a vehicle when questioned by police after the hit-and-run.
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The Surron Ultra Bee e-motorcycle is capable of reaching speeds up to 58 mph.
What we don't know:
While Ashman underwent surgery on April 19, his current stability and the full extent of his potential recovery remain unknown.
It is also unclear if the teen rider will face specific juvenile charges in addition to his mother's prosecution.
What they're saying:
"I've had enough with this. It's a pandemic, it's serious, and it needs to be addressed in a very serious manner," said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. "Parents who buy their child an e-motorcycle and let them ride them illegally... are handing their children a loaded weapon – and those parents are going to be prosecuted."
Spitzer continued, "This 81-year-old man survived flying combat missions in Vietnam... and now he is clinging to life because a mother refused to parent her child."
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"It's kind of sad that he has to like get injured this way from a stupid kid on a bike," noted an El Toro High School student.
Local perspective:
The District Attorney’s office indicated that this is the third similar case recently prosecuted in Orange County, following similar incidents in Yorba Linda and Huntington Beach.
Recently, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District announced it is banning elementary and middle school students (grades TK-8) from bringing e-bikes or other motorized vehicles on campus beginning in the 2026-27 school year. High school students (grades 9-12) are permitted to bring e-bikes to campus, but must complete safety training and follow district requirements.
Timeline:
- June 2025: Orange County deputies explicitly warn Mejer about the illegality of the e-motorcycle.
- April 16, 2026: Ashman is struck in a hit-and-run near El Toro High School.
- April 19, 2026: Ashman undergoes surgery; remains in critical condition.
- April 21, 2026: Mejer is arrested and charged.
- October 2026: Mejer is scheduled to return to court for proceedings.
What's next:
Mejer will return to court in October.
If convicted on all charges, she faces a maximum sentence of six years and eight months in state prison.
What you can do:
The community has established a GoFundMe to support Ashman’s medical recovery.
Anyone with additional information regarding the incident or other illegal E-motorcycle activity is encouraged to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000 or provide anonymous tips via OC Crime Stoppers.
The Source: This report is based on formal charges and body-worn camera evidence detailed by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Direct quotes and victim identification were gathered from official press releases and verified community statements from El Toro High School students and family representatives.