Tommi Jo Mejer, 50, appeared in court in Newport Beach, California, on 12/5, facing a manslaughter charge. This follows an incident in 4/2025 when her 14-year-old son popped a wheelie on an electric dirt bike, striking and killing an elderly man walking in Lake Forest, Orange County.

After the fatal accident, the boy fled the scene but police identified and arrested him. Mejer was subsequently prosecuted for providing the electric dirt bike to a minor and for obstruction, initially claiming the family did not own such a vehicle.

"Mejer essentially handed her 14-year-old son a deadly weapon, despite numerous warnings," said prosecutor Todd Spitzer. The vehicle the teenager was operating was a 2025 electric dirt bike model capable of reaching speeds of 93 km/h. Operating this vehicle requires a driver's license, and it must be registered and used only on private property or off-road trails.

If convicted, Mejer faces a maximum sentence of 7 years and 8 months in prison. It remains unclear whether her son will also be prosecuted.

Mejer appears in court in California, 12/5. Photo: OC Register

Mejer is the third parent prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney's Office since 1/2026 for allowing a child to illegally operate an electric scooter, resulting in serious consequences.

The unsafe operation of electric scooters by minors has become a prominent issue in Orange County. The number of related accidents and injuries has surged by 430% since 2022, including fatalities and many severe cases.

Teenagers aged 11-14 account for nearly 62% of all two-wheeled electric vehicle accidents statewide, despite California law prohibiting individuals under 16 from operating electric scooters.

On 3/3, officials prosecuted Richard Eyssallenne, a father in Yorba Linda, with charges of child abuse and endangerment. This followed his gift of a modified electric scooter to his 12-year-old son, capable of speeds up to 97 km/h.

In 7/2025, the boy ran a red light while operating the vehicle and was struck by an automobile, sustaining a concussion, brain hemorrhage, and a fractured femur.

American students operate two-wheeled electric vehicles on Rossmoor streets, California, 5/2. Photo: OC Register

In Westminster, a 51-year-old father faces child abuse charges after his two sons repeatedly operated electric scooters illegally. Officials had previously confiscated the vehicles and returned them after the father pledged to prevent future offenses and sell the vehicles. However, his sons continued to ride on public roads.

In neighboring Contra Costa County, a 58-year-old couple also faces child abuse charges after their 17-year-old son caused an accident while riding an electric scooter and was severely injured.

Prosecutors allege the couple allowed their son to ride an electric scooter since he was 14, despite numerous warnings and citations.

Concerns about two-wheeled electric vehicles intensified after Beson Nguyen, riding an electric vehicle at 56 km/h, crashed into a median in Garden Grove, resulting in his death on 7/5. This incident occurred less than a month after a 13-year-old teenager lost control of an electric scooter at a railway crossing and was struck and killed by a train.

Prosecutor Spitzer stated that prosecuting parents is an effective strategy to address the unsafe conditions associated with young people operating electric scooters.

Nguyen's electric scooter and the accident scene. Photo: AOL

Under California law, parents can face criminal liability for child endangerment if they allow a minor to use an unsuitable two-wheeled electric vehicle, fail to instruct the child on safe operation, or fail to ensure the child uses mandatory protective gear. Such actions place the child or others at risk of death or serious injury.

Previously, California officials prioritized public awareness campaigns to curb parents from providing electric scooters to their children without proper qualifications. Prosecutions were rare and typically reserved for the most severe cases, according to Laurie L. Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School.

"Prosecuting parents is a relatively new approach. Criminalizing parents is a last resort," said Shirin Bakhshay, an assistant professor at UCLA School of Law.

The Orange County District Attorney's Office announced on 14/5 the formation of RIDE SAFELY, a dedicated two-wheeled electric vehicle task force. This unit will consider prosecuting both minors and adults in similar cases.

Duc Trung (According to OC Register, Voice of OC, LA Times)