The legal consequences for a California mother have escalated significantly following a fatal crash involving her young son and his e-motorcycle. Tommi Jo Mejer is now facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter, among other serious allegations, in connection with the death of 81-year-old Ed Ashman.
The incident unfolded near El Toro High School, where the 14-year-old boy was reportedly performing tricks in the street while operating a Surron e-motorcycle. According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the boy struck Ashman, a decorated Vietnam veteran and substitute teacher. Then, the teenager allegedly fled the scene. When the deputies arrived, they provided Ashman with medical attention, but he succumbed to his injuries on April 30.
Per People, the investigation became complicated quickly. When Orange County Sheriff’s deputies initially visited Mejer at her home to inquire about the Surron e-motorcycle involved in the crash, she denied having any access to or ownership of the vehicle.
That is such a stupid, verifiable lie
This denial eventually led to charges of providing false information to a peace officer, along with child endangerment, accessory after the fact to a crime, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and loaning a motor vehicle to an unlicensed driver. However, after Ashman’s death, the charges have been updated as of May 1st.
The list now includes involuntary manslaughter and an infraction for permitting an unlicensed minor under the age of 18 to operate a motor vehicle. If she is convicted on all counts, the potential sentence reaches a maximum of seven years and eight months in state prison.
To understand the severity of these charges, it is helpful to look at how the law defines some of these charges. According to Cornell Law School, involuntary manslaughter involves the unlawful killing of a human being without malice. Specifically occurring in the commission of an unlawful act not amounting to a felony, or in an unlawful manner, or without due caution.
The charge of accessory after the fact applies to anyone who receives, relieves, comforts, or assists the offender to hinder or prevent their apprehension, trial, or punishment. Only, of course, if they know an offense has been committed.
The context surrounding this case is particularly troubling because of prior interactions between the mother and local law enforcement. In June 2025, Mejer reportedly contacted the Sheriff’s Department to complain that someone was posting pictures of her then-13-year-old son riding an e-motorcycle.
During a 28-minute conversation with deputies at that time, she admitted to buying the Surron for her son and acknowledged that she knew he operated it recklessly. Records indicate she was warned then that her son was not legally permitted to ride the vehicle and that she could face criminal charges if she continued to allow it.
An e-motorcycle is categorized as a Class 3 vehicle because it is designed to reach speeds exceeding 20 mph or to generate power higher than 750 watts. Unlike Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes, state regulations require riders to be at least 16 years old to operate them.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer did not mince words regarding the situation. “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.”
“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.”
Spitzer also expressed a broader frustration regarding accountability, stating, “This is a tragedy for the family of Ed Ashman and for everyone who loved a man who committed himself to his country and his community, and it is a tragedy for our society that we have gotten to a point where parents are refusing to hold their children – and themselves – accountable for endangering the lives of other people.”
He concluded by saying: “If parents aren’t going to hold their children accountable, then I am going to hold parents accountable for hurting and killing innocent people while riding illegal motor vehicles.”
A GoFundMe page set up to assist with medical and funeral expenses highlights Ashman’s distinguished past, noting his service as a military pilot during the Vietnam War. After his military career, he transitioned into the classroom, where he was a familiar and friendly face to students at El Toro High.
Published: May 3, 2026 03:25 pm