Aliso Viejo Mom Charged in Crash

Orange County prosecutors charged Aliso Viejo resident Tommi Jo Mejer after her 14-year-old son allegedly hit and critically injured 81-year-old Ed Ashman while riding an e-motorcycle in Lake Forest on April 16. (orangecountyda.org) (nbclosangeles.com) The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said Mejer, 50, was charged April 22 with felony child endangerment and felony accessory after the fact, plus three misdemeanor counts. Authorities arrested her Tuesday at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange. (abc7.com) (nbclosangeles.com) Prosecutors say her son was riding a 2025 Surron Ultra Bee near Toledo Way and Ridge Route Drive, by El Toro High School, and was “doing wheelies” when he hit Ashman. The boy allegedly left the scene and was later arrested after deputies served a search warrant at the family’s home. (orangecountyda.org) (nbclosangeles.com) Ashman was identified by prosecutors and local TV stations as an 81-year-old Vietnam veteran, substitute teacher and retired United States Marine Corps captain. He remained hospitalized in critical condition as of April 22. (abc7.com) (nbclosangeles.com) The charging theory turns on what kind of vehicle the boy was riding. Prosecutors said the Surron model is an e-motorcycle, not a low-speed e-bike, and ABC7 reported the model can reach about 60 miles per hour. (orangecountyda.org) (abc7.com) NBC Los Angeles reported riders must be at least 16, have a motorcycle license, and carry registration, a plate, insurance and motorcycle safety gear to ride that class of vehicle on public roads. Without that, prosecutors said it can only be used on private property or in registered off-highway vehicle areas. (nbclosangeles.com) A key detail in the case dates to June 2025. Prosecutors said Mejer called the Orange County Sheriff’s Department about photos of her son riding the bike, and deputies spent nearly 30 minutes warning her he could not legally ride it and that she could face charges if she kept allowing it. (abc7.com) (nbclosangeles.com) Prosecutors also allege Mejer gave false information after the crash by telling deputies neither she nor her son owned or had access to a Surron. That allegation underpins one of the misdemeanor counts and the accessory charge. (orangecountyda.org) (abc7.com) The district attorney’s office said this is its third parent child-endangerment case since January tied to minors riding e-motorcycles illegally in Orange County. NBC Los Angeles reported the office previously charged a Yorba Linda father after his 12-year-old son was critically injured in a separate crash. (orangecountyda.org) (nbclosangeles.com) Mejer faces a maximum sentence of six years and eight months in state prison if convicted on all counts, prosecutors said. NBC Los Angeles reported it was not immediately clear whether she had an attorney who could speak for her. (nbclosangeles.com) (orangecountyda.org)