A California woman faces an additional charge of involuntary manslaughter after the e-motorcycle ridden by her 14-year-old son struck and killed an 81-year-old man, prosecutors said on Friday.
On 16 April, Tommi Jo Mejer's son was riding a Surron e-motorcycle and performing wheelies when he hit Ed Ashman, a retired Marine captain and substitute teacher, in Lake Forest. Ashman died from his injuries on Thursday.
Mejer, of Aliso Viejo, was previously charged with felony child endangerment. The new charge of involuntary manslaughter was added following Ashman's death. She also faces counts of accessory after the fact, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and providing false information. If convicted on all counts, she could face up to seven years and eight months in prison.
Prosecutors said Mejer had been warned by deputies after she complained about someone posting pictures of her son riding the e-motorcycle. In a recorded interaction, she admitted buying the vehicle and knowing her son rode it recklessly. Deputies warned she could face criminal charges.
Under California law, an e-motorcycle is defined as having an electric motor exceeding 750 watts or a top speed above 20 mph without pedalling. Riders must be at least 16 years old and hold a motorcycle licence. The boy's Surron Ultra Bee can reach 56 mph, according to the manufacturer.
Legal experts note that prosecuting parents for their children's actions is a developing area. Lawrence Rosenthal, a law professor at Chapman University, said such cases rely on proving criminal negligence, which may be harder to establish for e-motorcycles compared to firearms.
