A California mother is facing upgraded charges after her teenage son allegedly struck and killed an 81-year-old Vietnam War veteran while riding an electric motorcycle. Tommi Jo Mejer, 50, was initially charged with multiple misdemeanors and two felonies, but prosecutors added an involuntary manslaughter charge on Friday following the death of Ed Ashman.
Incident details
According to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, the incident occurred on April 16 when Mejer's 14-year-old son was riding a Surron Ultra Bee electric motorcycle. Investigators believe the teen was performing wheelies at the time he struck Ashman, who was walking home from his job as a substitute teacher. The teen allegedly fled the scene before Orange County Sheriff's deputies discovered the retired US Marine Corps captain.
Officials visited Mejer's home and questioned her about the incident, but she allegedly denied that either she or her son owned an e-bike. She was arrested on April 21 and initially faced felony counts of child endangerment and accessory after the fact, along with a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and an infraction for loaning a motor vehicle to an unlicensed driver and providing false information to a peace officer.
Prosecutor's statement
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed outrage over the incident. 'An American hero who survived flying combat missions in Vietnam could not survive walking across the street in Lake Forest because of a 14-year-old child who was allowed to ride an e-motorcycle that he should have never been riding,' Spitzer said. '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 an e-motorcycle until he finally killed someone.'
The district attorney's office noted that Mejer had been warned previously. She contacted police in 2025 to report someone posting her son riding the bike online, and during that interaction, she was allegedly told her son was not legally allowed to ride it. Mejer 'admitted that she purchased her son a Surron e-motorcycle and knew that he drove it recklessly,' according to a press release.
Legal consequences
If convicted on all counts, Mejer faces up to seven years and eight months in state prison. She is the third parent Spitzer's office has charged this year for allegedly allowing their children to ride e-motorcycles illegally. California law requires e-motorcycle riders to be at least 16 years old and possess a motorcycle license. The Surron Ultra Bee involved in the incident can reach speeds of 56 mph and weighs 187 lbs, according to the manufacturer's website.
Victim remembered
Ed Ashman, 81, was a Vietnam War veteran who worked as a substitute teacher. A GoFundMe campaign described him as the 'center of a beautiful family,' a devoted husband, father of three, and proud grandfather. The fundraiser has raised over $115,000 to cover medical expenses and funeral costs.
Mejer is scheduled to be arraigned on May 21 at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.
