Last Updated on April 24, 2026 by The HD Post Staff

CALIFORNIA – A California mother faces felony charges after her 14-year-old son, previously warned about illegal e-motorcycle riding, critically injured an 81-year-old Vietnam veteran while doing wheelies in Lake Forest.

Around 4 p.m. April 16, 2026, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Toledo Way and Ridge Route Drive near El Toro High School for a pedestrian struck by an e-motorcycle.

An 81-year-old substitute teacher and Vietnam veteran was critically injured after being struck by a teenage rider doing wheelies in the street. The Surron e-motorcycle rider fled the scene.

The victim remains in critical condition.

“This 81-year-old man survived flying combat missions in Vietnam protecting freedom and now he is clinging to life because a mother refused to parent her child and he was run over in the street by a vehicle that should have never been on the road,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said.

In June 2025, Tommi Jo Mejer, 50, of Aliso Viejo, called deputies about photos circulating of her then-13-year-old son riding an e-motorcycle.

During a 28-minute body camera-recorded interaction with two Orange County Sheriff’s deputies, Mejer admitted she bought her son a Surron e-motorcycle and knew he rode it recklessly.

Deputies warned she could face criminal charges for allowing him to ride the e-motorcycle illegally. Class 3 e-motorcycle riders must be at least 16 and have a motorcycle license.

Authorities determined the 2025 Surron Ultra Bee involved in last week’s crash qualifies as a motor-driven cycle (CVC 405) or a motorcycle (CVC 400).

Both classifications require a motorcycle license, registration, insurance, and proper equipment for street use. Otherwise, the e-motorcycle is limited to private property or designated OHV areas.

The Surron Ultra Bee is marketed as an off-road e-motorcycle capable of speeds up to 58 mph and accelerating from 0 to 31 mph in 2.3 seconds.

With 12.5 kW of peak power, the Surron Ultra Bee produces about 16 times the output allowed for an e-bike.

Hours after the crash, body camera footage shows Mejer repeatedly telling deputies that neither she nor her teenage son owned or had access to a Surron.

Mejer was arrested Tuesday at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange, authorities said.

She has been charged with felony child endangerment, felony accessory after the fact, and several misdemeanor offenses.

Those include contributing to the delinquency of a minor, loaning a motor vehicle to an unlicensed driver, and providing false information to a peace officer.

If convicted, she faces up to six years and eight months in state prison.

Under Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 827 and 828, the District Attorney’s Office cannot disclose the names of juveniles or discuss juvenile investigations.

E-bikes vs. e-motorcycles: Power, speed and pedals

California law distinguishes e-bikes from e-motorcycles based on motor power, top speed, and whether the vehicle has operable pedals.

Class 1 and 2 e-bikes have no age or license requirements; Class 3 riders must be 16 or older.

E-bikes that don’t qualify as Class 1, 2, or 3 are generally classified as electric motorcycles. That means the bike either exceeds 750 watts or can reach speeds over 20 mph on motor power alone.

If the bike lacks operable pedals or is modified to exceed 20 mph or 750 watts, it cannot be classified as an e-bike and is considered an e-motorcycle.

Three other parents charged with child endangerment

Since January, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office has filed child endangerment charges against three parents for allowing their children to illegally ride e-motorcycles.

One case involves a Yorba Linda father whose 12-year-old son was critically injured after running a red light and being struck by a car.

The boy was riding a modified e-motorcycle capable of speeds up to 60 mph.

Authorities said both the father and son had been warned about the dangers of illegal e-motorcycle use prior to the crash.

He faces up to six years in state prison if convicted.

Spitzer added that the state Legislature has made it difficult for prosecutors to hold juveniles accountable for serious crimes, leaving parents responsible for the actions they allow their children to commit.