More parents facing charges for their children's e-motorcycle crashes
Among those charged were the mother and father of 13-year-old Benson Nguyen, who died after crashing his e-moto into a light pole in Southern California.
Key points
- Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer has charged 12 parents this year for allowing their children to ride e-motorcycles illegally.
- Benson Nguyen, 13, died after crashing his e-moto at over 40 mph in Garden Grove in May; his parents were charged with child endangerment.
- E-bike and e-moto incidents have caused more than 125 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries across the U.S., according to the Orange County DA.
Prosecutors in a growing number of U.S. communities are bringing criminal charges against parents whose children are involved in serious crashes on electric motorcycles. In California, it is illegal for children under 16 to ride e-motos, which have more powerful motors than electric bicycles.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer has led a crackdown, filing charges this year against 12 parents accused of letting their children ride e-motos illegally. Spitzer said he wants to send a message to protect other children and ensure parents take responsibility.
Teen's fatal crash
Among those charged were the mother and father of 13-year-old Benson Nguyen, who had posted videos of himself performing risky tricks on TikTok. In May, police said Nguyen was riding his e-moto recklessly at more than 40 miles per hour in Garden Grove when he lost control and hit a light pole. He died from his injuries at a hospital.
Nguyen's parents were charged with child endangerment. Spitzer said he does not want to prosecute parents but feels obligated, noting that he has raised two children himself.
I need to send a message in order to save other kids' lives and to make sure other parents are taking responsibility for their children
— Todd Spitzer
Scope of the problem
According to the Orange County DA's office, e-bikes and e-motos have been linked to more than 125 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries nationwide. In Orange County, they are now the leading cause of juvenile emergency room visits, the office said.
Spitzer compared supplying a child with an e-bike or e-motorcycle to giving a child a gun without understanding what they might do with it.
