E-Moto Manslaughter Case Against An OC Mom: 6 Things To Know

LAKE FOREST, CA — An Orange County manslaughter case against the mother of a 14-year-old boy accused of crashing an e-motorcycle into an 81-year-old veteran, killing him, has drawn regional attention as an inflection point in e-bike and e-moto law.

Here's what to know about the ongoing case.

1. The Day Of The Crash

The 14-year-old boy was riding an e-motorcycle that crashed into Ed Ashman, 81, at about 4 p.m. April 16 near Toledo Way and Ridge Route Drive in Lake Forest by El Toro High School, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Ashman — a substitute teacher at El Toro High School and Vietnam veteran — was originally hospitalized in critical condition, but he died April 30 due to his injuries.

According to police, the teenager was doing wheelies just before he crashed into Ashman.

After the crash, the teen fled the scene on his Surron e-motorcycle, prosecutors said.

Police were able to interview several witnesses at the scene, who offered a description of a teen seen "driving recklessly" at the time of the crash, according to the sheriff's department.

The teen's mother, 50-year-old Tommi Jo Mejer of Aliso Viejo, was accused of giving false information to Orange County Sheriff's deputies when they arrived at her door and claimed neither she nor her son owned the vehicle.

Mejer was taken into custody on April 21 and released the following day, jail records show. Her son was also arrested and booked into juvenile hall.

2. The Warning Before The Fatality

Prior to the crash, Mejer complained to Orange County Sheriff's deputies in June of last year about someone posting pictures of her son when he was 13 riding an e-motorcycle, prosecutors said.

Mejer acknowledged she bought the e-motorcycle for her son and was using it recklessly, prompting warnings from the deputies that she could face charges herself if she continued to let him ride the vehicle, prosecutors alleged.

In addition, when sheriff's deputies investigating the crash that injured Ashman questioned Mejer, she claimed her family didn't own an e-motorcycle or have access to one, prosecutors allege.

3. Upgraded Charges for OC Mom

Originally, Mejer was charged in April with child abuse and endangerment and being an accessory after the fact with knowledge of a crime, both felonies. Additional charges included misdemeanor counts of allowing an unlicensed driver to drive a motor vehicle, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and unlawfully providing false information to a police officer, according to the county's district attorney's office.

Following Ashman's death, prosecutors filed an amended complaint this month. County prosecutors charged Mejer with felony counts of involuntary manslaughter.

She also faces an infraction for permitting an unlicensed minor under the age of 18 to drive a motor vehicle.

Mejer faces a maximum sentence of seven years and eight months in state prison if convicted on all counts, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

4. Mom Speaks Out About The 'Terrible Accident'

Mejer gave a statement Tuesday addressing the April incident and charges.

The statement was issued this week through her lawyers, Paul S. Meyer and Lolita Kirk.

"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."

The statement comes after Mejer's arraignment was delayed to June 30 in Newport Beach.

5. Who is Ed Ashman?

Ed Ashman, who taught at El Toro High School, was in critical condition following the crash on Thursday, April 16, according to a GoFundMe page created for his family.

He was described as a dedicated teacher to his students at El Toro High School, as well as a man who was "no stranger to bravery."

"To the students at El Toro High School, Mr. Ashman is a familiar and friendly face," family members wrote on GoFundMe. "He is a man who chose to spend his retirement years mentoring and supporting the next generation."

As a Vietnam War Veteran, Ashman spent years in the cockpit flying jets for the military and serving the United States.

He was described as a devoted husband, a father of three and grandfather.

According to police, Ashman was hit by the e-motorcycle when he was walking home from work near El Toro High School. He died on May 1.

"It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Ed Ashman's passing," GoFundMe organizer Joyanne Goodfellow wrote. "I want to extend a sincere thank-you to everyone who has donated. Your generosity is going to be a massive help in ensuring Ed is honored properly and that his final expenses are taken care of."

6. A Dangerous Trend

This isn't the first Golden State crash involving e-motorcycles or e-bikes. In Orange County alone, several cases over the past year have arisen — including a case involving a 13-year-old boy who was killed when his e-motorcycle struck a center median in Garden Grove.

In March, an e-bike ran down an elderly woman in Seal Beach, leaving her with "major" injuries.

In January, an e-biker died in Long Beach when he lost control of his bike and struck a center median on the road.

In April, a 13-year-old e-biker was killed in Simi Valley by an oncoming train after he was unable to stop his bike in time.

In Austust of 2025, Four-year-old Ayden Fang died in Burlingame when an 11-year-old boy carrying his little sister on an e-bike collided with an SUV exiting a parking lot, sending it careening into the little boy.

MORE E-BIKE NEWS:

• 13-Year-Old Boy Who Died On E-Motorcycle Remembered For 'Happy Energy': Report
• Amazon Discontinues Sale Of High-Speed E-Bikes In California
• OC Mom Faces Manslaughter Charge After Veteran Dies From Teen E-Motorcycle Crash
• When E-Bikes Meet the Law: CA’s Fight Over Safety, Speed, And Accountability
• OC Veteran, 81, Dies After Crash With Teen On E-Motorcycle
• Teen, 14, On E-Motorcycle Hits Man, 81, And Flees Scene In Orange County: OCSD
• E-Bike Runs Down Elderly Woman In Seal Beach
• OC Mom Of Boy, 14, Who Critically Injured Vietnam Vet In E-Moto Hit And Run Charged: DA
• Rising Surf Star And Grandson Of Famed Master Shaper Killed In OC E-Bike Crash
• OC Dad Charged After Son Hurt While Illegally Riding Modified E-Motorcycle, DA Says
• Teens On E-Bikes Tried To Run Down Black UCI Student, Police Say
• Boy, 12, Hit By Car While Riding E-Bike In Orange County: Report
• OC Family Riding E-Bikes Struck, Injured By DUI Driver
• E-Bike Crash Critically Hospitalizes 2 Teens In OC